La Blonde dam
La Blonde
La Blonde, also known as Lake Michele, is a captivating water resource located in Iron, Wisconsin. Constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this local government-owned dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy. The dam stands at a height of 15 feet, with a hydraulic height of 11 feet, and a length of 2437 feet, creating a surface area of 31 acres and a drainage area of 1.84 square miles.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, La Blonde has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in October 2018. The dam has a storage capacity of 365 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge rate of 451 cubic feet per second. In case of emergencies, the dam has a controlled spillway type and is subject to regular inspections every 10 years. Despite being a relatively low-risk structure, La Blonde is situated in a high-risk area, emphasizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures.
With its picturesque location on Kaminski Creek and its reputation for offering a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts, La Blonde stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence between water resource management and recreational enjoyment. Its rich history and continued maintenance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service make it a valuable asset for both the local community and visitors seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of Wisconsin's natural beauty.
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 La Blonde -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Bessemer | 91 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 300 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 72 cfs | → |
| West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near La Blonde.
Boat launches
- Park Street 1, Montreal
- County Road C Hurley
- Iron County
- Flowage Road 699, Iron County
- Saxon Falls Flowage -- Access
- Weber Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Little Girls Point Campground
- Eddy Park Campground
- Gold Mine West
- Wren Falls
- Black River Harbor Campground
- Black River Harbor Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track La Blonde 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 La Blonde
Where does the data for La Blonde 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 La Blonde.