Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam dam
Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam
Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam, located in Wayne County, Illinois, is a crucial water supply infrastructure managed by the local government. Built in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 1850 feet, with a storage capacity of 328.66 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is to provide water supply for the surrounding area, serving as a vital resource for the community of Golden Gate.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this dam on the tributary of the Little Wabash River is classified as having a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment. While its condition assessment is currently unavailable, the dam was last inspected in August 2012 and is subject to regular inspections every 5 years. With a spillway type of uncontrolled, this dam plays a significant role in managing water resources and safeguarding against potential risks in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam serves as a focal point in understanding the importance of infrastructure in sustaining water supply in rural communities. With its strategic location and role in water management, this dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in Illinois.
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 Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bonpas Creek At Browns | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Wabash River Below Clay City | 289 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 65 cfs | → |
| Little Wabash River At Carmi | 6,170 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At New Harmony | 54,600 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Mt. Carmel | 48,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam.
Campgrounds
- Hilltop Campground - Grayville
- Camping At Baell Woods
- Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area
- Charley Brown City Park
Track Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir 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 Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir 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 Fairfield Side Channel Reservoir Dam.