Little Green Lake Outlet dam
Little Green Lake Outlet
The Little Green Lake Outlet in Green Lake, Wisconsin is a gravity dam completed in 1934 primarily for recreation purposes. With a structural height of 11 feet and a length of 1000 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 500 acre-feet and can discharge up to 75 cubic feet per second through a controlled spillway. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and has a low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of July 2020.
Located in the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Little Green Lake Outlet is situated in a picturesque area surrounded by natural beauty. The dam has a very high risk assessment ranking of 1, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. While the last inspection was conducted in June 2012 with a frequency of 10 years, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in January 2014. Despite the potential risks associated with the dam, its condition remains fair and it continues to provide recreational benefits to the local community.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the unique features of the Little Green Lake Outlet, including its historic significance and the role it plays in managing water levels and drainage in the area. As one of the many dams in Wisconsin regulated by the state, the Little Green Lake Outlet serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and managing water resources in a sustainable and responsible manner. With its controlled spillway and low hazard potential, the dam stands as a testament to the careful planning and engineering that goes into ensuring the safety and functionality of such structures in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Little Green Lake Outlet -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Creek @ Spring Grove Road Nr Green Lake | 6 cfs | → |
| Green Lake Inlet At Ct Highwy A Near Green Lake | 67 cfs | → |
| Puchyan River Ds N. Lawson Drive Nr Green Lake | 115 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Princeton | 1,120 cfs | → |
| South Branch Rock River At Waupun | 104 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Berlin | 1,570 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Green Lake Outlet.
Boat launches
- Welk Road Markesan
- Little Green Lake -- Kearley Bay Access
- Spring (Spirit) Lake -- Access
- Big Twin Lake -- Access
- Green Lake -- County Park Access (Dodge Memorial Park)
- Green Lake -- Terrace Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Camp Grow
- Derge Park
- Crooked River Campground
- Indian Trails Campground
- Ultralight Camping
- Wild Goose City Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Little Green Lake Outlet 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 Little Green Lake Outlet
Where does the data for Little Green Lake Outlet 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 Little Green Lake Outlet.