Long Lake dam
Long Lake
Long Lake, located in Washburn, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam completed in 1913 for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 3290 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 35,000 acre-feet. This picturesque lake is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and boasts a controlled spillway type with a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a structural height of 15 feet. With a drainage area of 82 square miles and a maximum discharge of 2660 cubic feet per second, Long Lake provides a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Long Lake remains a popular destination for outdoor recreation, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and abundant water activities. The dam's emergency action plan, last revised in 2012, helps mitigate risks associated with its very high hazard potential rating. With a history of modification in 1992 and regular inspections every two years, Long Lake is closely monitored to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability. As a vital part of the Detroit District, Long Lake stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
Long Lake's rich history and enduring appeal as a recreational haven underscore the critical role it plays in balancing human enjoyment with the need for effective dam management. As a gravity dam with a significant storage capacity and controlled spillway, Long Lake represents a harmonious blend of natural beauty and engineered infrastructure. With its high hazard potential and very high risk rating, Long Lake serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities inherent in safeguarding water resources in an era of climate uncertainty. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Long Lake offers a compelling case study in the intersection of human recreation, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure resilience.
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 Long Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 154 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Long Lake.
Boat launches
- Long Lake -- Access At End Of Sunset Bay Rd
- Long Lake -- Access Off County Hwy M
- Fenton Lake -- Access
- Loon Lake -- Ramp
- Long Lake -- Access Nr Todd Rd
- Upper Devils Lake -- Access
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Long 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 Long Lake
Where does the data for Long 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 Long Lake.