High Hopes dam
High Hopes
High Hopes, located in Taylor, Wisconsin, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1973 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. This dam stands at a height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a length of 330 feet, providing a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam's controlled spillway type ensures effective water management, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment.
This dam on the TR PAUGEL river in Wisconsin plays a vital role in maintaining water resources for the surrounding area, serving as a valuable asset for fire protection and agricultural water supply. Despite its fair condition, regular inspections and enforcement by the WIDNR ensure its continued functionality and safety. High Hopes stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government agencies and private owners in managing water resources effectively while mitigating potential risks posed by climate-related uncertainties.
With a very high risk assessment rating, High Hopes highlights the importance of proactive risk management measures to safeguard against potential emergencies. The dam's strategic location and design contribute to its crucial role in water resource management, reflecting a commitment to sustainable water use practices. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like High Hopes is essential in promoting resilient infrastructure and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water sources in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 High Hopes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 170 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near High Hopes.
Boat launches
- Hulls Lake -- Access
- North Twin Lake -- Access At Se Side Lake Nr Twin Lake Rd
- Sackett Lake Recreation Area Landing
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access - Campers Dr.
- Esadore Lake - Boat Access
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Ramp
Campgrounds
- Picnic Point Recreation Area Campground
- Picnic Point Campground
- West Point Recreation Area
- West Point Campground
- Spearhead Point Campground
- Eastwood Campground
Track High Hopes 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 High Hopes
Where does the data for High Hopes 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 Low 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 High Hopes.