Nordby dam
Nordby
Nordby is a privately-owned dam located in Barron, Wisconsin, that serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond creation. Built in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 23 feet high and spans 582 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. The dam is situated along TR Vance Creek Offstream, within the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR).
Despite its low hazard potential, Nordby's condition assessment is rated as poor, signaling a need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The last inspection in 2010 revealed issues that have persisted, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and upkeep to mitigate risks. With a very high risk assessment score of 1, there is a pressing need for improved risk management measures and potentially the development of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to enhance preparedness in case of emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Nordby presents an intriguing case study of a multi-purpose dam facing challenges in maintenance and risk management. Its location in a high-risk area underscores the importance of proactive measures to safeguard its integrity and surrounding community. As efforts to address its poor condition and mitigate risks continue, Nordby serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure plays in water resource management and the need for sustainable practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Nordby -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nordby.
Boat launches
- Prairie Farm Flowage -- Access
- Big Moon Lake -- Access
- Little Moon Lake -- Access
- Camelia Lake -- Access
- Magnor Lake -- Access
- Lower Turtle Lake - Access Of 3 3/4 4th Street
Campgrounds
- Pioneer Park - Prairie Farm
- Clear Lake City Park
- Village Park Campground
- Turtle Lake City Park
- Prairieview Campground
- Glen Hills Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Nordby 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 Nordby
Where does the data for Nordby 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 Nordby.