Saxon dam
Saxon
Saxon, also known as Saxon Falls, is a private hydroelectric dam located in Wisconsin along the Montreal River. Built in 1911, this gravity dam stands at 37 feet high and has a hydraulic height of 133 feet, providing a surface area of 63 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 700 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 250 acre-feet and a drainage area of 270 square miles.
Despite being privately owned, Saxon Falls is regulated by the state of Wisconsin and permitted for operation, but not subject to regular inspections. The dam has a controlled spillway and a low hazard potential, with a very high risk rating due to its age and condition assessment not being rated. Limited risk management measures are in place, but emergency action plans have been prepared and updated as recently as January 2020. With its historical significance and potential for both energy production and outdoor activities, Saxon Falls remains an important water resource for the region.
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 Saxon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Bessemer | 91 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 300 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 211 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 15 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saxon.
Boat launches
- Saxon Falls Flowage -- Access
- Lake Superior -- Saxon Harbor Access
- Lake Road Ironwood Township
- Weber Lake -- Access
- Park Street 1, Montreal
- Upson Lake Road Town Of Anderson
Campgrounds
- Little Girls Point Campground
- Potato River Falls
- Potato River Falls County Forest
- Gold Mine West
- Wren Falls
- Sandy Ledges Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Minnewawa Falls To Lake Superior
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Saxon 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 Saxon
Where does the data for Saxon 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 Saxon.