Eau Pleine dam
Eau Pleine
Eau Pleine is a gravity dam located on the Big Eau Pleine River in Marathon, Wisconsin, just 20 miles from Stevens Point. Completed in 1937, this hydroelectric facility serves multiple purposes, including recreation. With a height of 45 feet and a length of 8,599 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 98,140 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6,677 acres. It has a controlled spillway with a width of 88 feet and a maximum discharge of 20,767 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Eau Pleine is a significant structure in the region, providing power generation and recreational opportunities. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its risk assessment indicates a very high risk level. Emergency action plans have been prepared and updated regularly to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities in case of a catastrophic event. With its historical significance and strategic location, Eau Pleine stands as a key player in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Wisconsin.
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 Eau Pleine -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 2,270 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 162 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 26 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 90 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,760 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eau Pleine .
Boat launches
- Big Eau Pleine River -- Access At Near Dam Road
- Big Eau Pleine River -- Access At Near County Hwy O
- Big Eau Pleine River -- Access At Near Sandy Shore Rd
- Wisconsin River -- Access Off Of Beans Eddy Road
- Wisconsin River - Lake Du Bay -- Access/Seagull Ramp
- Little Eau Pleine River - Highway O Launch (Mead Wildlife Area)
Campgrounds
- South Unit Campground
- West Unit Campground
- Rib Mountain State Park
- Jordan Park Campground
- Jordan County Park Canoe Walk-In Campsites
- Marathon Park
More reservoirs
Track Eau Pleine 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 Eau Pleine
Where does the data for Eau Pleine 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 Eau Pleine .