Rest Lake dam
Rest Lake
Rest Lake is a picturesque reservoir located in Vilas County, Wisconsin, in the charming city of Manitowish Waters. Built in 1925 for recreational purposes, this private dam is classified as a gravity structure with a height of 25 feet and a length of 320 feet. It boasts a storage capacity of 68,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4,200 acres, making it a popular spot for water activities and wildlife enthusiasts.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Rest Lake poses a high hazard potential, with a very high risk rating indicating the need for heightened awareness and preparedness. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a maximum discharge capacity of 7,570 cubic feet per second, the controlled spillway design helps manage water levels during periods of high flow, contributing to the overall management of the Manitowish River system.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will appreciate the historical significance and environmental impact of Rest Lake, as well as the ongoing efforts to maintain its integrity and safety. Its location within the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers adds an additional layer of oversight, highlighting the collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local agencies to protect and preserve this valuable water resource 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 Rest Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 85 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| North Creek @ Trout Lake Nr Boulder Junction | 3 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rest Lake.
Boat launches
- Rest Lake -- Access At Koller Park On Hwy W
- Rest Lake -- Access
- Benson Lake Access At Benson Lake Road
- Circle Lily Lake -- Ramp
- Clear Lake Boat Landing Town Of Manitowish Waters
- Spider Lake - Greers Pier Marina
Campgrounds
- Big Lake Campground
- Camp Nawakwa
- Lac Du Flambeau Tribal Campground
- Wabasso Lake Campground
- Wabasso Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Of The Falls Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Rest Lake 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 Rest Lake
Where does the data for Rest Lake 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 Rest Lake.