Crab Orchard Dam (Crab Orchard Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Crab Orchard
NID ID: IL10000
Longitude: -89.15
Latitude: 37.71
Map Section: S.19-30,T.9S,R.1E
County: WILLIAMSON
River: CRAB ORCHARD CREEK
State: IL
Distance: 3.00 miles
Owner Name: DOI FWS
Owner Type: F
Private Dam? No
Year Completed: BLAN
Dam Length: 3800 feet
Dam Height: 64 feet
Maximum Storage: 87500 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 57800 acre-feet
Surface Area: 9500 acres
Drainage Area: 215 square miles
Hazard Potential:
Emergency Action Plan? No
Inspection Frequency: 2.00
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: NONE
Spillway Type:
Spillway Width: 411 feet
Number of Locks: 0
Federal Design Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Construction Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Regulatory Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Inspection Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Operating Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Owner (Agency): Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service
Other Federal Agencies:
Source Agency: Department of Interior;
Fish and Wildlife Service

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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