Mcginnis Lake dam
Mcginnis Lake
Mcginnis Lake, also known as Farrey Lake, is a picturesque reservoir located in Adams County, Wisconsin, owned and regulated by the local government. Constructed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this gravity dam stands at a height of 15 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 370 acre-feet, making it an ideal spot for recreational activities. The lake covers a surface area of 33 acres and is fed by Neenah Creek, providing a tranquil setting for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Mcginnis Lake offers a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors. The controlled spillway, with a maximum discharge of 14 cubic feet per second, ensures water levels are managed effectively. The risk assessment for the dam is rated as very high, indicating that proper risk management measures are in place to ensure the safety of the structure and surrounding area. Despite its small drainage area of 0.2 square miles, Mcginnis Lake remains a popular destination for outdoor recreation in the region.
Overall, Mcginnis Lake serves as a valuable water resource for the community, providing not only recreational opportunities but also important flood control and water storage functions. As a well-maintained and regulated dam, it stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS in managing and preserving water resources in Adams County, Wisconsin. Whether for fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the serene surroundings, Mcginnis Lake offers a peaceful retreat for water and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Mcginnis Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 9,040 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 253 cfs | → |
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo | 385 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Princeton | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Lemonweir River At New Lisbon | 326 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcginnis Lake.
Boat launches
- Mcginnis Lake -- Access At East End Of Lake
- Fenner Lake -- Access
- Patrick Lake -- Access
- Goose Lake -- Access
- Peppermill Lake -- Access
- Parker Lake Lodge Access
Campgrounds
- Concord And Lexington
- Gettysburg
- Shiloh
- Roche A Cri State Park Campground
- Crooked River Campground
- Camp Upham
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 Mcginnis 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 Mcginnis Lake
Where does the data for Mcginnis 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 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 Mcginnis Lake.