Murphy dam
Murphy
Murphy, a local government-owned dam in Rusk, Wisconsin, is a vital part of the Hemlock Creek ecosystem. Built in 1994, this earth dam stands at 22 feet high and serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a storage capacity of 3,279 acre-feet and a surface area of 188 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, Murphy is equipped with a spillway width of 66 feet to manage potential peak discharges of up to 1,783 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety of surrounding areas in case of emergencies.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Murphy undergoes regular inspections with an inspection frequency of 10 years to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Although its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated," the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in 1995, demonstrating the commitment to preparedness and risk management. With its location in a picturesque natural setting and its importance for local recreation, Murphy serves as a crucial water resource for the community while maintaining a low-risk profile for potential hazards.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore Murphy's role in the Hemlock Creek watershed, its significance as a recreational structure within the Detroit District of Wisconsin becomes evident. With its strategic location and safe operations, Murphy stands as a testament to responsible dam management and the harmonious coexistence of human activities with natural ecosystems. As advocates for sustainable water resource management, understanding the complexities and importance of structures like Murphy is crucial in preserving the delicate balance between human needs and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Murphy -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murphy.
Boat launches
- Murphy Flowage -- Ramp
- Hemlock Lake -- Access At 28 1/2 Ave
- Red Cedar Lake - Access At Loch Lomond Beach Club
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access At End Of Pigeon Creek Rd Nr 28th
- Audie Lake -- Boat Launch
- Red Cedar Lake - Access At Tagalong Golf And Resort
Campgrounds
- Murphy Flowage Park
- Audie Lake County Park
- Waldo Carlson Park
- Doolittle Park Campground
- Doolittle Park
- Paiute
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Murphy 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 Murphy
Where does the data for Murphy 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 Murphy.