Severson dam
Severson
Severson is a privately owned earth dam located in Price County, Wisconsin, specifically on the TR-KNOX CR river or stream. Built in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection and creating a stock or small fish pond. With a height of 13 feet and a length of 630 feet, Severson has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Severson is considered to be in fair condition with a moderate risk rating. The dam's last inspection was conducted in May 2020, and it is scheduled for inspections every 10 years. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has a maximum discharge capacity of 31 cubic feet per second. While there have been no major modifications or emergency action plans prepared for Severson, the dam continues to play a crucial role in fire protection and water resource management in the area.
Overall, Severson stands as a testament to the importance of proper dam maintenance and regulation in safeguarding water resources and mitigating risks associated with potential dam failures. With its strategic location and multi-purpose design, Severson serves as a valuable asset for the community and underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety for both humans and the environment.
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 Severson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Severson.
Boat launches
- Spirit Lake -- Access Nr State Hwy 102
- South Harper Lake -- Ramp
- Worchester Lake -- Landing
- State Highway 102 854, Rib Lake
- State Highway 86 Tomahawk
- Cranberry Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Pioneer Park & Campground
- Pioneer Park And Campground
- Lakeview Park Campground
- Sara Park
- Eastwood Campground
- Eastwood Recreation Area Campground
Track Severson 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 Severson
Where does the data for Severson 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 Severson.