Sandstone Rapids dam
Sandstone Rapids
Sandstone Rapids, located in Marinette County, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam on the Peshtigo River with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Constructed in 1925 by designers Mead & Scastone, this dam stands at a height of 42 feet and has a storage capacity of 1650 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 20,000 cubic feet per second, the dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 184 feet.
The dam, owned by a public utility, serves as both a source of renewable energy and a recreational spot for visitors. Despite its historical significance and engineering marvel, Sandstone Rapids poses a high hazard potential and is categorized with a very high risk assessment rating. While the dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, state inspection and enforcement are not currently in place.
As an integral part of the water resource infrastructure in the region, Sandstone Rapids provides a glimpse into the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its presence along the Peshtigo River not only contributes to the local economy through energy generation but also offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. However, the high hazard potential underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital water resource structure.
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 Sandstone Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peshtigo River At Porterfield | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River Near Wabeno | 458 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 262 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Peshtigo | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 5,030 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 4,460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sandstone Rapids .
Boat launches
- Hideaway Lane Town Of Stephenson
- Left Foot Lake -- Access At Ne Side Of Lk Nr 17th Rd
- Nelligan Lake -- Access Nr W 18th Rd
- Pickerel Lake -- Access At East Side Of Lake At End Of Pickerel Rd
- High Falls Reservoir -- Stephenson Park Ramp
- Town Of Beaver
Campgrounds
- Veterans Memorial Park - Crivitz
- Twin Bridge County Park
- Old Veterans Lake County Park
- Old Veterans State Camp Ground
- Governor Thompson State Park Campground
- Evergreen City Park
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 Sandstone Rapids 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 Sandstone Rapids
Where does the data for Sandstone Rapids 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 Sandstone Rapids .