Lake Mcmaster Dam dam
Lake Mcmaster Dam
Lake McMaster Dam, also known as Snakeden Hollow Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Dahinda, Illinois, within Knox County. Completed in 1981, this earth dam stands at a height of 81 feet and spans 850 feet across. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a beautiful setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking within its 178-acre surface area.
The dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and has a high hazard potential due to its location on Snakeden Creek. With a maximum storage capacity of 5350 acre-feet, it serves as a vital resource for water supply and flood control in the region. The spillway, with a width of 313 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing excess water to flow out during heavy rainfall events.
Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment of Lake McMaster Dam is currently listed as not available. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last inspection taking place in July 2020. While the risk assessment is considered moderate, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are unspecified. Overall, Lake McMaster Dam serves as a key recreational and water resource for the community, warranting ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality.
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 Lake Mcmaster Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek Near Wyoming | 13 cfs | → |
| Spoon River At London Mills | 441 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Geneseo | 493 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines | 12,400 cfs | → |
| Fondulac Creek Near East Peoria | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Mcmaster Dam.
Track Lake Mcmaster 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 Lake Mcmaster Dam
Where does the data for Lake Mcmaster 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 High 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 Lake Mcmaster Dam.