Castle Rock dam
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is a gravity dam located on the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Built in 1950 by HARZA ENGINEERING CO, this hydroelectric dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. With a height of 34 feet and a hydraulic height of 38 feet, Castle Rock has a storage capacity of 175,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 136,000 acre-feet.
The dam has a spillway width of 480 feet and is classified as having a high hazard potential. Controlled by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Castle Rock is not state-regulated but does require state permitting and enforcement. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is very high at level 1, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
Castle Rock's location in Adams County, Wisconsin, makes it a pivotal structure in managing the water resources of the region. With its significant storage capacity and role in hydroelectric power generation, the dam plays a crucial role in water management, flood control, and energy production in the area. As a popular recreational spot for locals and visitors alike, Castle Rock offers not only practical benefits but also serves as a scenic destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the intersection of nature and infrastructure.
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 Castle Rock -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonweir River At New Lisbon | 326 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 253 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 9,040 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 130 cfs | → |
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo | 385 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Castle Rock .
Boat launches
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Town Of Quincy Nr 19th Dr
- Castle Rock Lake -- County Park Access (Juneau Co)
- Castle Rock Lake --Castle Rock Park (Adams Co.)
- Klein Creek/Castle Rock Flowage -- Access
- Castle Rock Lake -- Buckhorn Wildlife Area - Nr 36th
- Castle Rock Lake -- Buckhorn State Park - Nr 19th (Juneau Co)
Campgrounds
- Castle Rock Park Campground
- Comanchee
- Winnebago
- Castle Rock County Park
- Adams County Castle Rock
- Buckhorn State Park
Paddle runs
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
More reservoirs
Track Castle Rock 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 Castle Rock
Where does the data for Castle Rock 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 High 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 Castle Rock .