Bush Hill Dam dam
Bush Hill Dam
Located in Oak Brook, Illinois, Bush Hill Dam is a local government-owned structure on TRIB SALT CREEK with a primary purpose of recreation. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 200 feet in length, providing a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 0.8 square miles. With a controlled spillway type and a width of 10 feet, the dam has a low hazard potential but is subject to regular state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Although the dam's condition assessment is not available, it has a very high risk assessment rating of 1, indicating potential vulnerabilities that may require proactive risk management measures. The last inspection was conducted in July 2019, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's location and associated structures, if any, may pose a risk to the surrounding area in the event of a breach or emergency, highlighting the importance of maintaining effective emergency action plans and communication protocols.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bush Hill Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of recreation, water management, and risk mitigation. As part of the larger ecosystem along TRIB SALT CREEK, this dam plays a crucial role in balancing water storage and release, highlighting the delicate balance between human infrastructure and natural resources. With its proximity to urban centers and the potential for climate-related impacts, monitoring and maintaining the integrity of Bush Hill Dam remain essential for sustainable water resource management and community safety in the DuPage County area of 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 Bush Hill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Western Springs | 90 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Elmhurst | 72 cfs | → |
| E Br Du Page River Near Downers Grove | 20 cfs | → |
| Addison Creek At Bellwood | 4 cfs | → |
| Flag Creek Near Willow Springs | 15 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph Creek At U.S. Route 34 At Lisle | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bush Hill Dam.
Track Bush Hill 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 Bush Hill Dam
Where does the data for Bush Hill 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 Bush Hill Dam.