Combined Locks dam
Combined Locks
Combined Locks in Kaukauna, Wisconsin is a hydroelectric dam on the Fox River, serving primarily for flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation. This gravity-type dam stands at a height of 23.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22 feet, with a structural height of 28 feet. Completed in 1912, the dam has a storage capacity of 1700 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1600 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 20800 cubic feet per second. With a significant hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and does not fall under state jurisdiction.
The dam features a multi-arch core with a concrete and gravity structure resting on rock foundation. It spans a length of 653 feet and has a spillway width of 288 feet, operating with uncontrolled spillway type. The outlet gates consist of seven Tainter (radial) gates, facilitating water flow management. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam is subject to moderate risk with a risk assessment rating of 3. Emergency action plans are in place, last revised in January 2021, to ensure preparedness in case of unforeseen events. With its historical significance and operational relevance in water resource management, Combined Locks remains a key infrastructure for sustaining the surrounding ecosystem and local community.
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 Combined Locks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Appleton | 8,310 cfs | → |
| East River At Ct Highway Zz Near Greenleaf | 8 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Near Howard | 27 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oshkosh | 5,780 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oil Tank Depot At Green Bay | 3,570 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 2,940 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Combined Locks .
Boat launches
- Fox River -- Kaukauna - Riverside Park Ramp
- Fox River -- Village Of Kimberly - Sunset Park Ramp
- Firelane 8 Village Of Harrison
- Fox River -- Appleton - Lutz Park Ramps
- Lake Winnebago -- State Park Road - Street Access
- Fox River -- Wrightstown Launch
Track Combined Locks 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 Combined Locks
Where does the data for Combined Locks 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 Significant 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 Combined Locks .