Four Mile Creek dam
Four Mile Creek
Four Mile Creek, also known as Nepco Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Wood County, Wisconsin. This gravity dam was completed in 1926 and serves primarily for water supply purposes, with a storage capacity of 6,000 acre-feet. The dam stands at 33 feet high with a hydraulic height of 28 feet, offering recreational opportunities and hydroelectric power generation in addition to its main function of supplying water.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Four Mile Creek has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2014. Despite its age, the dam has undergone modifications in 1928 and 1950, showcasing its resilience and adaptability to changing needs and regulations. With a drainage area of 29 square miles and a maximum discharge of 2,500 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region.
Located in the city of Port Edwards, Four Mile Creek's risk assessment is rated as very high, indicating the importance of effective risk management measures in place. With controlled spillways and regular inspections, the dam ensures the safety of the surrounding community while maintaining its operational efficiency. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the intricate details of Four Mile Creek's design, functionality, and historical significance make it a fascinating subject of study and conservation efforts in Wisconsin's diverse landscape.
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 Four Mile Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,570 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 119 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 49 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 236 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Four Mile Creek.
Boat launches
- Nepco Lake -- Access Off County Hwy Z
- Nepco Lake -- Access At Near State Hwy 13
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wi Rapids Off Hwy 73
- Wisconsin River Landing - Sheila Ln Off Point Basse Ave
- Lake Wazeecha -- Access
- Plank Hill Ramp
Track Four Mile 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 Four Mile Creek
Where does the data for Four Mile 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 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 Four Mile Creek.