Retzer Pond Dam dam
Retzer Pond Dam
Retzer Pond Dam, located in Morgan County, Illinois, is a private dam with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Constructed in 1969 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at 26 feet tall and spans 179 feet in length. The dam has a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 26 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 4 acres and draining an area of 0.19 square miles.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Retzer Pond Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, a moderate risk assessment rating (3) emphasizes the importance of ongoing risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 22 feet, and has no associated locks. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam is subject to periodic inspections to maintain its integrity and safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Retzer Pond Dam stands as a vital structure within the TR-INDIAN CREEK watershed, providing essential habitat for fish and wildlife while also offering recreational opportunities. With its historical significance dating back over five decades, the dam serves as a testament to the enduring importance of water management and conservation efforts in Illinois. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Retzer Pond Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding both the environment and local communities from potential risks and hazards.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Retzer Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River Near Oakford | 3,260 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 176 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Valley City | 27,800 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 917 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Greenview | 987 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Retzer Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Gridley Road Cass County
- County Highway 11 Cass County
- Gurney Road Cass County
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Florance Boat Ramp
- Island Bay Lane Springfield
Track Retzer Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Retzer Pond Dam
Where does the data for Retzer Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Retzer Pond Dam.