Lac Vieux Desert dam
Lac Vieux Desert
Lac Vieux Desert, located in Vilas, Wisconsin, is a hydroelectric dam with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. Completed in 1870, this gravity dam stands at 7 feet high and is supported by stone foundations. With a storage capacity of 20,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 5,066 acres, Lac Vieux Desert plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Lac Vieux Desert has a significant hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. The dam features a controlled spillway and Tainter (radial) outlet gates, ensuring the safe release of water during high discharge events. Despite being in operation for over a century, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness for both water management and hydroelectric power generation.
As a key structure in the region, Lac Vieux Desert serves as a vital resource for the community, providing essential flood control measures, renewable energy production, and recreational opportunities. Its location on the Wisconsin River, along with its historical significance and engineering design, make it a notable site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure with natural landscapes.
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 Lac Vieux Desert -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Ck-Muskellunge L Otl-Nr Eagle River | 2 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 157 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 39 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Creek Near St. Germain | 9 cfs | → |
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lac Vieux Desert.
Boat launches
- Lac Vieux Desert -- Carry-In Access At Sw Side Of Lake
- Lac Vieux Desert -- National Forest Campground Boat Access
- East Misery Bay Road Watersmeet Township
- Lac Vieux Landing Town Of Phelps
- East Grass Lake Road Watersmeet Township
- North Twin Lake -- Access Nr Lakota Rd
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lac Vieux Desert 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 Lac Vieux Desert
Where does the data for Lac Vieux Desert 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lac Vieux Desert.