Spruce Lake dam
Spruce Lake
Spruce Lake, located in Oneida, Wisconsin, is a picturesque water resource known for its tranquil surroundings and diverse wildlife. Originally completed in 1967, this earth dam structure serves multiple purposes, including providing a habitat for fish and wildlife as well as supporting recreational activities. With a dam height of 11.4 feet and a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet, Spruce Lake covers a surface area of 30 acres and has a drainage area of 2 square miles.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Spruce Lake is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is continuously monitored for any signs of deterioration. The condition assessment in 2014 rated it as fair, with a very high risk assessment of 1. While the lake offers a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts and climate advocates, its maintenance and risk management measures remain a top priority to ensure its long-term sustainability.
In the heart of the St. Paul District and under the jurisdiction of the state of Wisconsin, Spruce Lake stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. With its controlled spillway and stable earth dam structure, this wildlife pond serves as a vital ecosystem for local flora and fauna. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the conservation efforts and regulatory oversight at Spruce Lake play a crucial role in preserving this natural gem for future generations to enjoy.
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 Spruce Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Creek Near St. Germain | 9 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Ck-Muskellunge L Otl-Nr Eagle River | 2 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spruce Lake.
Boat launches
- Spruce Lake -- Access
- Goodyear Lake Road Town Of Cassian
- Hodag Lake -- Access
- East Horsehead Lake -- Access
- West Horsehead Lake -- Access
- Alva Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Sara Park
- Otter Lake
- Otter Lake County Park Campground
- Underdown County Park Campground
- Razorback Lake Campground
- East Star Lake Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Main Branch--Headwaters To Forest Road 2174
- North Branch (Sections 19/30 Line) To Unnamed Creek In Sec 4, T37n, R13e
More reservoirs
Track Spruce Lake 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 Spruce Lake
Where does the data for Spruce Lake 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 Spruce Lake.