Squaw Creek Dam dam
Squaw Creek Dam
Squaw Creek Dam, located in Philpps, Wisconsin, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Completed in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 200 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Squaw Creek Dam is for recreation, serving as a fish and wildlife pond as well as a recreational area.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Squaw Creek Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam has not been modified in recent years and has not undergone a formal inspection since August 2011. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 7 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 110 cubic feet per second, ensuring safe water release during extreme events.
While Squaw Creek Dam may not be heavily regulated by the state, its importance for recreation and wildlife preservation cannot be understated. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find interest in the ecological impact and risk management strategies associated with this structure, highlighting the intersection between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Squaw Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 156 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 96 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squaw Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Solberg Lake -- Landing
- Solberg Lake -- County Park Ramp
- Big Dardis Lake -- Landing
- Elk Lake/Duroy Lake -- Lionite Park Access
- Wilson Flowage -- Access
- Grassy Lake -- Access At Southern Part Of Lake Nr N Grassy Lake Rd
Campgrounds
- Solberg Lake County Park Campground
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Smith Lake County Park & Campground
- Smith Lake County Park
- Hines Park & Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Squaw Creek Dam 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 Squaw Creek Dam
Where does the data for Squaw Creek Dam 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 Squaw Creek Dam.