Rock Lake dam
Rock Lake
Rock Lake, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. The dam at Rock Lake, a gravity type, was completed in 1929 and stands at a height of 8 feet, with a hydraulic height of 4 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 44 acres, making it a popular spot for water enthusiasts to enjoy various activities.
Despite being regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Rock Lake has a low hazard potential and is currently in fair condition. The reservoir has a drainage area of 1 square mile and a maximum discharge of 15 cubic feet per second. The spillway at Rock Lake is of the uncontrolled type, highlighting the importance of maintaining the dam's integrity to ensure the safety of downstream areas.
With a risk assessment rating of moderate, Rock Lake serves as a valuable water resource for the community, offering a picturesque setting for outdoor recreation. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial to monitor and maintain structures like the dam at Rock Lake to preserve its recreational and environmental value for future generations of water and climate enthusiasts.
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 Rock Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 114 cfs | → |
| Fox River Near New Munster | 514 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 12 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River At Russell | 23 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 79 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Lake.
Boat launches
- Camp Lake -- Access Off 113th St
- Camp Lake -- Access At End Of 106th Pl
- Camp Lake -- Access At Along 286th
- Center Lake -- Access At 95th St
- Benet Lake Boat Launch
- Il 173 Lake County
Campgrounds
- Mud Lake West
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Rv Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Tent Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Lake Geneva Youth Camp
Fishing spots
Track Rock Lake 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 Rock Lake
Where does the data for Rock Lake 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 Rock Lake.