Clam Falls dam
Clam Falls
Located in Clam Falls, Wisconsin, the Clam Falls dam stands as a testament to the region's rich history of hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1875, this gravity dam on the Clam River serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a height of 36 feet and a storage capacity of 950 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 127 acres and has a drainage area of 65 square miles.
Despite its historical significance and important role in the local ecosystem, the Clam Falls dam is facing challenges. A recent inspection in December 2020 revealed that the dam is in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. The risk assessment has been classified as very high, raising concerns about the dam's safety and the need for proper risk management measures. With a history of modifications dating back to 1942, the Clam Falls dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure, conservation, and sustainability.
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 Clam Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clam Falls.
Boat launches
- Clam Falls Flowage -- Access
- Little Deer Road 22400, Town Of Siren
- Ward Lake -- Access
- Long Lake -- Boat Ramp
- State Highway 35 23630, Siren
- Clam Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Straight Lake Campground
- Big Butternut Lake
- Kirby Lake Primitive
- Eagle Point Campground
- Dn Campground
- Balsam Lake Pine Park - Town
Paddle runs
Track Clam Falls 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 Clam Falls
Where does the data for Clam Falls 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 Clam Falls.