Peacock dam
Peacock
Peacock, also known as Fowler Lake, is a gravity dam located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Completed in 1840, this historic dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a storage capacity of 630 acre-feet. With a surface area of 78 acres and a drainage area of 88 acres, Peacock Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Peacock Dam has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential, although its condition is currently assessed as satisfactory. The dam has undergone modifications in 1938 and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Its controlled spillway, with a width of 90 feet, helps regulate the flow of the Oconomowoc River and prevent flooding in the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Peacock Dam continues to be a vital asset for water management and recreational activities in Waukesha County. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of this structure in sustaining the local ecosystem and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
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 Peacock -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bark River At Nagawicka Road At Delafield | 41 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Watertown | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Bark River Near Rome | 116 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Waukesha | 98 cfs | → |
| Crawfish River At Milford | 624 cfs | → |
| Mukwonago River At Mukwonago | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peacock.
Boat launches
- Fowler Lake -- Access
- Upper Oconomowoc Lake -- Access
- Okauchee Lake
- Silver Lake - Access Off Valley Rd
- Ashippun Lake -- Access
- Lacys Lane Town Of Oconomowoc
Campgrounds
- Harnischefeger Park
- Naga-Waukee County Park Campground
- Pinewoods Campground
- Ottawa Lake Campground
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Peacock 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 Peacock
Where does the data for Peacock 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 Significant 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 Peacock.