Chippewa Reservoir dam
Chippewa Reservoir
Chippewa Reservoir, also known as Winter, is a stunning water resource located in Sawyer, Wisconsin, along the Chippewa River. This reservoir, completed in 1923, primarily serves as a hydroelectric power source and offers recreational opportunities. With a dam height of 45 feet and a storage capacity of 230,000 acre-feet, Chippewa Reservoir covers a surface area of 15,800 acres and has a maximum discharge of 40,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chippewa Reservoir boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 78 feet and two Tainter radial gates for water regulation. Despite its high hazard potential, the reservoir is a vital resource for the region, providing both electricity and recreational enjoyment. The risk assessment for Chippewa Reservoir indicates a very high risk level, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure its safety and sustainability for future generations.
As a key player in water resource management, Chippewa Reservoir stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. With its historic significance and vital role in providing clean energy and recreational opportunities, this reservoir exemplifies the delicate balance between harnessing natural resources and protecting ecological integrity. By understanding and addressing the risks associated with its operation, Chippewa Reservoir continues to be a valuable asset for the community and a symbol of resilience in the face of 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 Chippewa Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 157 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chippewa Reservoir .
Boat launches
- Town Of Hunter
- Barker Lake -- Access Off Boat Landing Rd
- Barber Lake -- Access At North End Of Lake Off Malm Rd
- Island Lake -- Access At Se End Of Lake Off Island Lake Rd
- Chippewa Flowage -- Cc South Access
- Winter Lake -- Access Off Doak Rd
Campgrounds
- Moose Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Moose Lake Recreation Area
- Black Lake Recreation Area
- Black Lake
- Black Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Swan Creek Park
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- 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
More reservoirs
Track Chippewa Reservoir 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 Chippewa Reservoir
Where does the data for Chippewa Reservoir 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 Chippewa Reservoir .