Eau Galle dam
Eau Galle
Eau Galle, located in Dunn, Wisconsin, is a hydroelectric dam with a primary purpose of generating electricity and providing recreational opportunities. Built in 1913, this buttress dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 171 feet, with a storage capacity of 2070 acre-feet and a surface area of 350 acres. The dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is not state-jurisdiction, but does require state permitting and enforcement.
With a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Eau Galle is a vital water resource in the region. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 127 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 20,000 cubic feet per second. Although the dam is not regularly inspected by state agencies, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its operation and maintenance. The surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, making Eau Galle a significant asset for both the local community and the environment.
Overall, Eau Galle serves as a key infrastructure for water resource management and electricity generation in Wisconsin. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide essential services and poses minimal risks to the surrounding area. With proper maintenance and oversight, Eau Galle will remain a valuable asset for years to come, supporting both the local economy and the preservation of natural habitats.
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 Eau Galle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 323 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Red Wing | 24,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eau Galle .
Boat launches
- Lake Eau Galle -- Access Sites
- Lake Eau Galle -- Pine Point County Park
- Thompson Lake -- Access
- Lower Chippewa River -- Landing - Durand
- Red Cedar River -- Dunnville Bottoms Boat Landing
- Silver Birch Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Tarrant Park Campground
- Holden Park Campground
- Irvington Campground & Rv Park
- Nugget Lake County Park
- Nugget Lake County Park Campground
- Highland Ridge Campground
Fishing spots
Track Eau Galle 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 Eau Galle
Where does the data for Eau Galle 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 Eau Galle .