Braidwood Station Cooling Pond Dam (Braidwood Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Braidwood Station Cooling Pond Dam
Other Name: BRAIDWOOD POWER PLANT COOLING POND
NID ID: IL01169
Longitude: -88.2133
Latitude: 41.2283
Map Section: 19-33;32N;9E;3
County: WILL
River: KANKAKEE RIVER - OFFSTREAM
State: IL
Nearest City: WILMINGTON
Distance: 7 miles
Owner Name: EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC
Owner Type: Private
Dam Designer: SARGENT & LUNDY
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Purposes: Other
Year Modified/Mod Type: 2000
Dam Length: 54080 feet
Dam Height: 22 feet
Maximum Discharge: 5559 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 35000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 22300 acre-feet
Surface Area: 2475 acres
Drainage Area: 5.3 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-05-01
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: IDNR
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 200 feet
Outlet Gates: X
Federal Funding Agency: BRAIDWOOD POWER PLANT COOLING POND
Source Agency:

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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