Spring Creek dam
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is a private dam located in Portage, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1854, this gravity dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the Spring Creek river, covers a surface area of 18 acres and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and water enthusiasts.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Spring Creek poses a high hazard potential due to its very high risk assessment rating. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which conducts regular inspections and enforces safety measures to ensure the structure's integrity. With a controlled spillway and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, Spring Creek is a vital resource for the surrounding community and plays a crucial role in water management and recreational opportunities in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spring Creek offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and importance of dams in sustaining ecosystems and providing recreational outlets. This dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental preservation, highlighting the need for responsible stewardship of water resources in a changing climate. As efforts continue to maintain and enhance the safety of Spring Creek, its significance as a valuable asset for both nature and recreation remains evident.
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 Spring Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 35 cfs | → |
| Waupaca River Near Waupaca | 431 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf River At Royalton | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,180 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 130 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 2,380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Creek.
Boat launches
- Spring Lake -- Access
- Lime Lake -- Access
- Tomorrow River -- Access
- Adams Lake -- Access
- Wolf Lake -- Access
- Pickerel Lake -- Access
Track Spring 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 Spring Creek
Where does the data for Spring 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 Spring Creek.