Beaver Creek dam
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek, also known as Northfield Hatchery, is a state-owned dam located in Jackson County, Wisconsin. Built in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and serves various purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1 square mile, Beaver Creek provides essential resources for the surrounding community.
The dam's primary purpose is recreation, offering a surface area of 45 acres for outdoor activities. Despite being categorized as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in October 2019. The risk assessment for Beaver Creek is noted as very high (1), indicating the need for effective risk management measures to ensure public safety and the protection of water resources in the area.
Owned and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Beaver Creek plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. With its controlled spillway and proximity to the TRIB. BEAVER CREEK, this dam is a significant feature in the local landscape, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate the importance of preserving and utilizing water resources sustainably.
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 Beaver Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 553 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 202 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 590 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaver Creek.
Boat launches
- Lake Henry -- Public Boat Landing
- Coon Fork Lake -- Access
- Lake Eau Claire -- Access Nr County Rd South Dakota
- Lake Eau Claire --- Access Near Sd Ln
- Mark Holmgren Memorial Landing -- Access
- Lake Eau Claire -- Access - Nd Cir
Campgrounds
- Hixton Village Campground
- Col Larson County Park
- Gile Memorial Village
- Crystal Lake Park - Strum
- Riverside Memorial Park
- Wildcat Mound County Park
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Beaver Creek 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 Beaver Creek
Where does the data for Beaver Creek 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 Beaver Creek.