School Section Lake dam
School Section Lake
Situated in the picturesque county of Waukesha, Wisconsin, School Section Lake is a charming reservoir that serves as a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. Managed by the local government, this gravity dam was completed in 1937 with a primary purpose of recreation. Boasting a normal storage capacity of 230 acre-feet and a surface area of 117 acres, the lake provides a serene escape for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
With a high hazard potential but fair condition assessment, School Section Lake stands as a vital water resource in the region. The dam, standing at a height of 8 feet and a length of 2900 feet, controls the flow of an unnamed tributary to the Bark River. Despite its age, the dam undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations. Additionally, the risk assessment for the reservoir indicates a very high risk level, highlighting the importance of ongoing management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
For those interested in exploring the intersection of water management and environmental conservation, School Section Lake provides a fascinating case study. From its historical construction to its modern-day recreational offerings, this reservoir encapsulates the delicate balance between human enjoyment and ecological preservation. As climate change continues to impact water resources across the globe, the management and maintenance of structures like School Section Lake become increasingly crucial in safeguarding our natural landscapes for future generations.
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 School Section Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bark River Near Rome | 116 cfs | → |
| Bark River At Nagawicka Road At Delafield | 41 cfs | → |
| Mukwonago River At Mukwonago | 45 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Waukesha | 98 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Watertown | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near School Section Lake.
Boat launches
- School Section Lake -- Access
- Pretty Lake -- Access
- Hunters Lake - Landing Off Manor House Road
- Golden Lake -- Access
- Ottawa Lake -- Access
- Genesee Lake Road 36941, Summit
Campgrounds
- Ottawa Lake Campground
- Pinewoods Campground
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
- Naga-Waukee County Park Campground
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
- Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track School Section 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 School Section Lake
Where does the data for School Section 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 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 School Section Lake.