City dam
City
City is a hydroelectric dam located on the Yellow River in Barron, Wisconsin. Built in 1879, this gravity dam stands at 17 feet high with a length of 300 feet, serving primarily for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. With a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet and a drainage area of 141 square miles, City has a significant hazard potential but is currently rated as being in fair condition.
The dam has undergone modifications in 1918, 1988, and 1992, and is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR). With a controlled spillway width of 98 feet and the ability to discharge up to 5170 cubic feet per second, City plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Despite its very high risk assessment level, the dam is inspected every 3 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
City's location in Barron, Wisconsin makes it a vital infrastructure for both water resource management and energy production in the area. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this hydroelectric dam continues to be a key player in the region's water resource and climate management initiatives.
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 City -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hay River At Wheeler | 334 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 797 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,090 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 4,370 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near City.
Boat launches
- Barron Flowage/Yellow River -- Access Off Mill St In Barron
- Barron Flowage/Yellow River -- Access Nr U.S. Hwy 8
- Red Cedar River -- Access At 19th St
- 8 3/4 Street Town Of Clinton
- Prairie Lake -- Access
- Prairie Lake -- Access At End Of 13 - 12 1/2 Ave
Track City 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 City
Where does the data for City 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 Significant 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.