Putnam County Conservation District Dam dam
Putnam County Conservation District Dam
The Putnam County Conservation District Dam, located in Illinois, was completed in 1993 for the primary purpose of recreation along the TRIB CLEAR CREEK. Designed by MCCLURE ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a length of 200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 42 feet and a maximum discharge of 471 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital structure for water resource management in the area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Putnam County Conservation District Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk level. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and overall safety. With its picturesque location and essential role in providing recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a valuable asset for both the community and the environment.
As a key feature within the Rock Island District, the Putnam County Conservation District Dam not only enhances the local landscape but also contributes to water conservation efforts in the region. Its construction and operation demonstrate a commitment to sustainable resource management, showcasing the intersection of water resources and climate resilience. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a fascinating example of how infrastructure can support both recreational activities and environmental stewardship in a cohesive manner.
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 Putnam County Conservation District Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Henry | 12,000 cfs | → |
| East Bureau Creek Near Bureau | 2 cfs | → |
| Big Bureau Creek At Princeton | 50 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Leonore | 487 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Dayton | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Wyoming | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Putnam County Conservation District Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Street Henry
- Il 89 Spring Valley
- Ed Hand Highway 95, Deer Park
- West Pine Street 1, Chillicothe
- Il 71 Lasalle County
- Courtney Street Ottawa
Campgrounds
- Lake De Pue City Park
- Horseback Campground @ Matthiessen State Park
- Starved Rock State Park
- Woodford State Conservation Area
- Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park
- Hickory Grove Campground
Fishing spots
Track Putnam County Conservation District 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 Putnam County Conservation District Dam
Where does the data for Putnam County Conservation District 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 Significant 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 Putnam County Conservation District Dam.