Blackhawk Lake dam
Blackhawk Lake
Blackhawk Lake, located in Iowa, Wisconsin, is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government for recreational purposes. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet, with a hydraulic height of 42 feet and a structural height of 50 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 7,900 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 3,810 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 220 acres.
Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Blackhawk Lake boasts controlled spillways and a low hazard potential, with a fair condition assessment as of May 2020. Despite its risk assessment being classified as very high, the dam has not undergone significant modifications over the years. The surrounding area is at a low risk of inundation, and the dam meets regulatory guidelines for inspection and enforcement.
With its serene surroundings and ample recreational opportunities, Blackhawk Lake is a beloved destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the beauty of its Otter Creek and Cave Hollow Branch tributaries. Its rich history, steady water levels, and well-maintained infrastructure make it a valuable asset for the community and a must-visit spot for those interested in water conservation and outdoor activities in the heart of Wisconsin.
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 Blackhawk Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Muscoda | 8,530 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River At Darlington | 191 cfs | → |
| East Br Pecatonica River Near Blanchardville | 153 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Rockville | 182 cfs | → |
| Black Earth Creek At Black Earth | 41 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 547 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackhawk Lake.
Boat launches
- Blackhawk Lake -- Access
- Cox Hollow Lake -- Access
- Morrey Creek At Meadow Brook Rd
- Twin Valley Lake Boat Ramp
- Sneed Creek At High Point Rd
- Wisconsin River -- Otter Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Blackhawk Lake Rec Area - Highland
- Governor Dodge State Park Campground
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Twin Valley Campground
- Avoca Lakeside City Campground
- Jerome Kohout Private Property Camping
Fishing spots
- Fishing Dock Handicapped Accessible
- Buck Creek
- Paint Creek
- Little Paint Creek
- South Cedar Creek
- Little Turkey River
Paddle runs
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track Blackhawk 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 Blackhawk Lake
Where does the data for Blackhawk 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 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 Blackhawk Lake.