Lucas Lake dam
Lucas Lake
Lucas Lake, located in Washington County, Wisconsin, is a picturesque reservoir on Silver Creek with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, completed in 1923, is classified as a gravity dam with a height of 8 feet and a length of 150 feet. The lake has a maximum storage capacity of 630 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 400 acre-feet, providing ample water for various recreational activities.
Despite its age, Lucas Lake's dam is in fair condition with a high hazard potential, indicating the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety. The lake covers a surface area of 78 acres and has a drainage area of 3 square miles. With a controlled spillway type and a maximum discharge of 217 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to manage excess water flow effectively. Additionally, the risk assessment for Lucas Lake rates it as very high, highlighting the importance of implementing proper risk management measures to protect the surrounding community and environment.
In the care of a private owner, Lucas Lake is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreational opportunities in a tranquil natural setting. With its historical significance, impressive engineering design, and critical role in water management, Lucas Lake remains a valuable asset in Washington County's landscape.
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 Lucas Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarburg | 81 cfs | → |
| Milwaukee River Near Cedarburg | 413 cfs | → |
| Little Menomonee River Near Freistadt | 4 cfs | → |
| Menomonee River At Menomonee Falls | 8 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rock River Near Mayville | 43 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 577 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lucas Lake.
Boat launches
- Silver Creek (35500) N. University Drive
- Silver Lake -- Landing
- South Hacker Drive 5832, Town Of West Bend
- Big Cedar Lake - Landing At Paradise Drive
- Big Cedar Lake -- Access At The End Of Gonring Dr
- Little Cedar Lake -- Access Off County Hwy Z - Northern Of Two Landings
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Lucas 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 Lucas Lake
Where does the data for Lucas 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 Lucas Lake.