Waterworks dam
Waterworks
Waterworks is a gravity dam located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, completed in 1913 for recreational and water supply purposes. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 220 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 574 acres. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 207 feet and a maximum discharge of 6,590 cubic feet per second, highlighting its significant hazard potential.
Although the condition of Waterworks dam is currently rated as "Not Rated" for its structural integrity, the risk assessment still categorizes it as moderate. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and undergoes regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve as an important recreational and water supply resource for the local community, emphasizing the need for ongoing risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
Given its historical significance and vital role in the region, Waterworks remains a key feature in the Sauk County landscape, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. Its location along the Baraboo River offers opportunities for outdoor activities and serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management in the face of changing climate conditions. As efforts to assess and manage risks associated with aging infrastructure continue, Waterworks stands as a testament to the ongoing challenges and opportunities in safeguarding our water resources for future generations.
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 Waterworks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo | 385 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 9,040 cfs | → |
| Black Earth Creek At Black Earth | 51 cfs | → |
| Brewery Creek-Upstream Site-At Cross Plains | 2 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Windsor | 26 cfs | → |
| Pheasant Branch At Airport Road Nr Middleton | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waterworks.
Boat launches
- Baraboo River -- Glenville Landing
- Baraboo River -- Luebke Public Access
- Devils Lake -- State Park
- Baraboo River -- Heath Hatchery Road Access
- Baraboo River -- North Freedom - Access
- Lake Wisconsin -- Access - Moon Valley Landing
Campgrounds
- Devil’S Lake State Park Campgrounds
- Dell Boo Campground
- Mirror Lake State Park
- Bluewater Bay Campground
- Sandstone Ridge Campground
- Cliffwood Campground
Paddle runs
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
More reservoirs
Track Waterworks 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 Waterworks
Where does the data for Waterworks 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 Waterworks.