Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam dam
Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam
Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam, also known as Lake 7, is a privately owned earth dam located in DuPage County, Illinois. Built in 1993 by ROBERT H. ANDERSON & ASSOC., this recreational dam stands at a height of 9 feet and stretches 750 feet in length. Situated on the Waubansee Creek, it serves as a picturesque spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities like fishing, boating, and birdwatching. With a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 6 feet, the dam offers a serene setting for visitors to relax and unwind.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam has a low hazard potential and is inspected every 5 years to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has no documented condition assessment available. The spillway, with a width of 20 feet, is uncontrolled, providing a scenic overflow for excess water during periods of heavy rainfall. The dam's location in Aurora, Illinois, makes it easily accessible for locals and tourists looking to appreciate the beauty of nature while also appreciating the engineering marvel of the structure.
While the Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam may not be widely recognized, its role in providing recreational opportunities and maintaining the water levels in Waubansee Creek is significant. With its tranquil surroundings and well-maintained facilities, this earth dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human infrastructure and natural beauty in the heart of Illinois. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, a visit to this hidden gem offers a chance to appreciate the delicate balance between man-made structures and the environment they inhabit.
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 Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Brook At 87th Street Near Naperville | 6 cfs | → |
| West Br Du Page River Near Warrenville | 95 cfs | → |
| Spring Bk At Forest Preserve Nr Warrenville | 12 cfs | → |
| West Branch Du Page River Near Naperville | 124 cfs | → |
| Kress Creek At West Chicago | 4 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Montgomery | 1,190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam.
Boat launches
- Fox River Trail Aurora
- Dupage River Trail Naperville
- Dupage River Trail Bolingbrook
- Fox River Trail Geneva
- North River Lane Geneva
- Sundown Lane 7277, Kendall County
Campgrounds
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Camp Reinberg
Fishing spots
Track Meridian Campus Lake 7 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 Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam
Where does the data for Meridian Campus Lake 7 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 Meridian Campus Lake 7 Dam.