Birch Lake dam
Birch Lake
Birch Lake, also known as Birchwood Lake, is a stunning reservoir located in Washburn, Wisconsin, with Birch Creek flowing through it. The dam, completed in 1878, stands at a height of 28 feet and serves as a recreational haven for locals and visitors alike. With a maximum storage capacity of 23,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,288 acres, Birch Lake offers ample opportunities for activities such as boating, fishing, and wildlife observation.
Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Birch Lake is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure the safety and sustainability of the reservoir. The dam's spillway, controlled and 12 feet wide, helps manage water discharge during peak periods, while the hazard potential is deemed significant with a fair condition assessment. Despite its age, Birch Lake continues to provide a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and serves as a vital water resource in the region.
With a very high risk assessment rating, Birch Lake remains a focal point for climate and water resource enthusiasts. Its rich history, dating back to 1878, coupled with its modern-day recreational offerings, make it a must-visit destination in the heart of Wisconsin. The reservoir's commitment to safety, regular inspections, and enforcement measures ensure that Birch Lake will continue to be a cherished natural gem for generations to come.
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 Birch Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 957 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,720 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 161 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 184 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 725 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Birch Lake.
Boat launches
- Birch Lake -- Ramp Near Dam
- Birch Lake -- Access Nr Doolittle Rd
- Balsam Lake -- Access Nr The End Of Balsam Lake Rd
- Red Cedar Lake - Access At Tagalong Golf And Resort
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access At Waldo Carlson Park
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access At End Of Pigeon Creek Rd Nr 28th
Campgrounds
- Doolittle Park Campground
- Doolittle Park
- Waldo Carlson Park
- Murphy Flowage Park
- Sawmill Lake Campground
- Sawmill Lake County Park
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Birch Lake 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 Birch Lake
Where does the data for Birch Lake 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 Birch Lake.