Phlox dam
Phlox
Phlox is a gravity dam located on the Red River in Langlade, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1878, this historic structure stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 275 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 390 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 13 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1854 cubic feet per second, Phlox serves as a significant water resource in the region.
Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Phlox is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, but its condition assessment as of 2015 was satisfactory. Despite being at risk for emergencies, the risk management measures are not explicitly stated, indicating a need for further evaluation and preparedness in case of high-risk scenarios.
With a very high-risk assessment and a controlled spillway design, Phlox serves as a crucial structure for water management and recreational activities in the area. Its historical significance, combined with its modern regulatory oversight, highlights the importance of balancing preservation and safety in water resource management for both environmental and community benefits.
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 Phlox -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Morgan Road Near Morgan | 236 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Langlade | 419 cfs | → |
| Embarrass River Near Embarrass | 719 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 253 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 4,880 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phlox.
Boat launches
- Moose Lake Boat Landing
- Pleasant Lake -- Access
- Evergreen Creek -- Carry-In Access
- White Lake -- Access
- White Lake Creek @ East White Lake Rd
- White Lake Creek @ Church St
Campgrounds
- Antigo Lake Rv Park
- Hillbilly Hilton
- Dells Of The Eau Claire Park - Wausau
- Pine Grove Campground
- High Lake County Park
- Game Lake Primitive
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
- Unnamed Creek To Forest Boundary In Sec 14, T37n, R13e
Track Phlox 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 Phlox
Where does the data for Phlox 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.