Waterford dam
Waterford
Waterford, also known as Buena Lake, is a recreational dam located in Racine, Wisconsin, along the Fox River. Owned by the local government, this earth dam was completed in 1977 and serves the primary purpose of recreation. With a dam height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 5 feet, Waterford has a storage capacity of 7,500 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,133 acres. The dam has a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of January 2020.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Waterford is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulatory standards. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a moderate risk assessment rating. Although no associated structures or locks are present, Waterford is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities. The dam's last inspection was conducted in July 2019, with a frequency of every three years.
Waterford's location within the Chicago District and its proximity to the city of Waterford make it a valuable resource for the community and visitors alike. With its picturesque setting and diverse recreational opportunities, Waterford serves as a vital hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of Wisconsin's natural landscapes.
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 Waterford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mukwonago River At Mukwonago | 44 cfs | → |
| Fox River Near New Munster | 514 cfs | → |
| Root River Canal Near Franklin | 11 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| Root River At Grange Avenue At Greenfield | 2 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Waukesha | 89 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waterford.
Boat launches
- Buena Lake/Tichigan Lk -- Access
- Tichigan Lake / Fox Riv -- Access - Bridge &Amp;Amp; Conserv Dr
- Wind Lake -- Access Off Wind Lake Rd
- Waubeesee Lake -- Access Off Long Lake Rd
- Long Lake -- Kec-Nong-Ga-Mong Lake -- N End
- Seminole Drive Town Of Dover
Campgrounds
- Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
- Rv Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Lake Geneva Youth Camp
- Tent Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Waterford 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 Waterford
Where does the data for Waterford 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 Waterford.