Willow Springs Lake dam
Willow Springs Lake
Willow Springs Lake, also known as Laitsch, is a gravity dam located in Saylesville, Wisconsin. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this recreational lake spans 60 acres with a maximum storage capacity of 590 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 20 feet, providing a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 20 feet. The lake is fed by Spring Brook and serves as a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities.
Managed by the WIDNR, Willow Springs Lake is regulated and permitted by the state of Wisconsin for inspection, enforcement, and maintenance. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in fair condition, with the last inspection conducted in May 2020. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the lake continues to attract visitors for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for fishing, boating, and hiking. With its picturesque surroundings and sustainable management practices, Willow Springs Lake remains a cherished destination for nature lovers in the Waukesha County area.
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 Willow Springs Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mukwonago River At Mukwonago | 44 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Waukesha | 89 cfs | → |
| Bark River At Nagawicka Road At Delafield | 42 cfs | → |
| Bark River Near Rome | 100 cfs | → |
| Root River At Grange Avenue At Greenfield | 2 cfs | → |
| Underwood Creek At Wauwatosa | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Springs Lake.
Boat launches
- Mukwonago River - Lower Phantom Lake -- Access
- Lower Phantom Lake -- Access
- Ottawa Lake -- Access
- Eagle Spring Lake (And Lulu Lake) -- Boat Landing
- Hunters Lake - Landing Off Manor House Road
- Pretty Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
- Pinewoods Campground
- Ottawa Lake Campground
- Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
- Naga-Waukee County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Willow Springs 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 Willow Springs Lake
Where does the data for Willow Springs 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 Willow Springs Lake.