Bradow dam
Bradow
Bradow, also known as Rust Lake, is a private water resource located in Taylor, Wisconsin, along the WEST BRANCH WASHINGTON CREEK. Completed in 1890, this Earth dam stands at 13 feet high and serves primarily for recreational purposes with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment and low hazard potential, Bradow is subject to regular state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
With a surface area of 12 acres and a drainage area of 5 square miles, Bradow offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities and wildlife habitat. The dam's spillway is controlled, ensuring water flow management and safety. Even though the risk assessment indicates a very high level of risk (1), the dam has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification as of now. The last inspection in April 2017 revealed no significant issues, and the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition for continued use.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bradow presents a unique blend of historical significance, recreational potential, and environmental stewardship. Its location within the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers underscores its importance as a managed water infrastructure. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding and monitoring dams like Bradow will be crucial in ensuring their safety and functionality for the future.
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 Bradow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 170 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bradow.
Boat launches
- Esadore Lake - Boat Access
- Sackett Lake Recreation Area Landing
- Medford Millpond (Black River) -- Carry-In Access
- Hulls Lake -- Access
- North Twin Lake -- Access At Se Side Lake Nr Twin Lake Rd
- Richter Lake -- Ramp
Campgrounds
- Medford City Park Campground
- Picnic Point Recreation Area Campground
- Picnic Point Campground
- West Point Campground
- West Point Recreation Area
- Kathryn Lake
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Bradow 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 Bradow
Where does the data for Bradow 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 Bradow.