Hawthorn Parkway Dam dam
Hawthorn Parkway Dam
Located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, the Hawthorn Parkway Dam is a crucial structure designed by CBBEL to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 2001, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 910 acre-feet. Situated on the Seavey Drainage Ditch, this dam is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and efficacy in flood risk reduction.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the Hawthorn Parkway Dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in Lake County, Illinois. Despite its critical importance, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity. As a primary source of flood risk reduction in the region, this dam serves as a key component in the overall water management strategy, safeguarding communities against potential inundation and ensuring the safety of residents and infrastructure in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and assess the impact of climate change on water infrastructure, the Hawthorn Parkway Dam stands as a testament to the proactive measures taken to mitigate flood risks and protect the surrounding environment. With its controlled spillway and strategic design, this dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving climate challenges. By prioritizing safety, regulation, and maintenance, the Hawthorn Parkway Dam remains a vital asset in the ongoing efforts to safeguard communities and natural resources from the potential impacts of flooding.
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 Hawthorn Parkway Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skokie River At Lake Forest | 7 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 6 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 99 cfs | → |
| Wf Of Nb Chicago River At Northbrook Il | 6 cfs | → |
| North Branch Chicago River At Deerfield | 6 cfs | → |
| Skokie River Near Highland Park | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hawthorn Parkway Dam.
Boat launches
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
- Des Plaines River Trail Libertyville
- Lower South Beach Parking Area Lake Forest
- North Sears Boulevard 33435, Grayslake
- North Alleghany Road 116, Grayslake
Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Mud Lake West
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Blackwell Youth Campground
Fishing spots
Track Hawthorn Parkway 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 Hawthorn Parkway Dam
Where does the data for Hawthorn Parkway 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 Hawthorn Parkway Dam.