White Rapids dam
White Rapids
White Rapids is a hydroelectric dam located on the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin. Built in 1927, this concrete structure stands at 39 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 33 feet and a structural height of 49 feet. It serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 5990 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3228 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, White Rapids has a controlled spillway with a width of 240 feet and is equipped with Tainter (radial) gates for water release. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its risk assessment is classified as very high. While the risk management measures and updated emergency action plan are not specified, the dam remains a critical structure for water resource management and climate adaptation in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find White Rapids to be a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and its impact on the surrounding environment. With its historical significance, recreational opportunities, and role in renewable energy production, this dam stands as a symbol of human ingenuity and the complex relationship between water resources, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
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 White Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 2,910 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 3,600 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 240 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 3,330 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Rapids .
Boat launches
- Menominee River -- White Rapids Dam Access
- Broberg Lane No 23 Lake Township
- County Road 356 Lake Township
- Shakey Lane Lake Township
- Menominee River -- Access At River Rd
- Wolf Lake -- Access - S End Lake - Warren Rd
Campgrounds
- Evergreen City Park
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Cedar River North State Forest Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Old Veterans State Camp Ground
- Old Veterans Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
Track White Rapids 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 White Rapids
Where does the data for White Rapids 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 High 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 White Rapids .