Poplar River #1 dam
Poplar River #1
Poplar River #1, also known as Sportsman Lake, is a local government-owned dam in Clark County, Wisconsin, designed by USDA NRCS. Completed in 1978, this gravity dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet. With a storage capacity of 9000 acre-feet, the dam primarily serves recreational purposes and has a surface area of 280 acres.
Located on Brick Creek in Owen, Wisconsin, Poplar River #1 is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety. The dam has a high hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Although no associated structures or outlet gates are mentioned, the dam's spillover type is categorized as uncontrolled.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of dams will find Poplar River #1 an intriguing case study. Its historical significance, design specifications, and regulatory framework provide valuable insights into the intersection of water infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety. With its picturesque setting and diverse ecosystem, Poplar River #1 exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.
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 Poplar River #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 25 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 196 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 198 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 93 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,710 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Poplar River #1.
Boat launches
- Diamond Lake -- Access
- Richter Lake -- Ramp
- Mead Lake -- Access
- Medford Millpond (Black River) -- Carry-In Access
- Kathryn Lake -- Access
Track Poplar River #1 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 Poplar River #1
Where does the data for Poplar River #1 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 Poplar River #1.