Squirrel Lake dam
Squirrel Lake
Squirrel Lake, located in Oneida, Wisconsin, is a privately owned dam with a primary purpose beyond just water retention. Completed in 1890, this gravity dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a storage capacity of 6000 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreational activities, and other uses, making it a valuable resource for the community.
Despite its age, Squirrel Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, indicating that it is well-maintained and poses minimal risk to surrounding areas. The dam has a controlled spillway type and a maximum discharge capacity of 475 cubic feet per second. While it has not been inspected recently, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, suggesting that regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial to ensuring its continued safety and functionality.
With its historical significance, multiple functions, and relatively low hazard potential, Squirrel Lake Dam is an important structure in the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental management would find this dam a fascinating subject for study and appreciation.
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 Squirrel Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squirrel Lake.
Boat launches
- Carter Road 12299, Town Of Minoqua
- Bo Di Lac Drive 8669, Town Of Minoqua
- Squirrel Lake Boat Launch
- Buckskin Lake -- Access
- Booth Lake -- Access
- Swamsauger Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Lac Du Flambeau Tribal Campground
- Emily Lake Recreation Area
- Emily Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Wabasso Lake Campground
- Wabasso Lake Recreation Area
- Twin Lakes Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Squirrel 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 Squirrel Lake
Where does the data for Squirrel 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 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 Squirrel Lake.