Pickerel Lake dam
Pickerel Lake
Pickerel Lake in Oconto, Wisconsin, is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government for recreational purposes. This Earth dam, completed in 1960, stands at 10.3 feet high and holds a maximum storage capacity of 1750 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 517 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 220 acres and is fed by Pickerel Creek, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Pickerel Lake is subject to regular state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The controlled spillway design ensures safe water discharge with a maximum capacity of 208 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a very high risk level, prompting ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
Visitors to Pickerel Lake can appreciate the beauty of this water resource while recognizing the importance of responsible management and maintenance to prevent potential hazards and ensure continued enjoyment for future generations. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, Pickerel Lake remains a valuable asset for recreation and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Pickerel Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peshtigo River Near Wabeno | 458 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Langlade | 419 cfs | → |
| Popple River Near Fence | 136 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 262 cfs | → |
| Red River At Morgan Road Near Morgan | 236 cfs | → |
| Oconto River Near Gillett | 723 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pickerel Lake.
Boat launches
- Surprise Lake -- Access
- Townsend Flowage -- Access Nr Sunset Bay Ln
- Townsend Flowage -- Access At Hwy 32
- Townsend Flowage -- Access At Bennett Lane
- Townsend Flowage (Mccaslin Brook) - Access At Red Maple Lane
- Horn Lake -- Access At Along Horn Lake Rd
Campgrounds
- Boot Lake Campground
- Boot Lake Recreation Area
- Boot Lake
- Ada Lake
- Ada Lake Recreation Area
- Ada Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
- Main Branch-Forest Boundary In Sec 18, T37n, R15e To Railroad Bridge
Track Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake
Where does the data for Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake.