Steel dam
Steel
Steel is a significant hydroelectric structure located in Rock Island, Illinois, owned by the State of Illinois Department of Transportation. Constructed in 1912, this gravity dam stands at 6 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 11 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for hydroelectric power generation, with additional benefits for recreation. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 410 acre-feet and a drainage area of 11,000 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Steel has a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment. It has undergone inspection and enforcement by the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulatory standards. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 775 feet, contributing to its efficient water management capabilities. With its historical significance and continued operational relevance, Steel serves as a vital asset for water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region.
Overall, Steel exemplifies the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental stewardship, showcasing the importance of sustainable water resource management practices. As a key player in the hydroelectric sector, Steel plays a crucial role in the local economy and ecosystem, providing clean energy and recreational opportunities while minimizing environmental impact. With proper regulatory oversight and maintenance, Steel stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment to balancing water resource utilization with conservation efforts in the face of climate change challenges.
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 Steel -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek At Milan | 26 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek At Dc Golf Course At Davenport | 63 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek At Bettendorf | 5 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek At 110th Ave At Davenport | 10 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Joslin | 9,840 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steel .
Boat launches
- Big Island Parkway Rock Island
- George Skafidas Parkway Rock Island
- 48th Street 5598, Moline
- Riverfront Trail Davenport
- South Concord Street 2490, Davenport
- 12th Street 138, Bettendorf
Track Steel 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 Steel
Where does the data for Steel 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 Steel .