Upper Wilson Flowage dam
Upper Wilson Flowage
Upper Wilson Flowage, located in Price, Wisconsin, is a Federal-owned fish and wildlife pond on Popple Creek. Constructed in 1940 by the USDA Forest Service, this Earth dam stands at 7 feet high and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The flowage serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife habitat preservation and recreational activities.
Despite its low hazard potential, Upper Wilson Flowage poses a very high risk due to its structural condition not being rated. With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge of 50 cubic feet per second, ongoing inspections by the Forest Service are crucial for ensuring public safety and the integrity of the dam. The flowage covers a surface area of 100 acres and serves as an important ecological and recreational resource in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Upper Wilson Flowage as a vital habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as a popular recreational spot in Phillips, Wisconsin. With its historical roots dating back to 1940 and ongoing management by the Forest Service, this flowage exemplifies the intersection of conservation efforts and public enjoyment in a natural setting. Understanding the engineering and ecological aspects of this Earth dam can deepen one's appreciation for the interconnectedness of water resources and climate resilience in the region.
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 Upper Wilson Flowage -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| North Creek @ Trout Lake Nr Boulder Junction | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Wilson Flowage.
Boat launches
- Sailor Lake Road Town Of Fifield
- Big Dardis Lake -- Landing
- Solberg Lake -- Landing
- Solberg Lake -- County Park Ramp
- South Fork Flambeau River -- Access At East Rd
- South Fork Flambeau River -- Carry In Access E Of Shady Knoll Rd
Campgrounds
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Smith Rapids Campground
- Solberg Lake County Park Campground
- Twin Lakes Recreation Area
- Twin Lakes Recreation Area Campground
Fishing spots
Track Upper Wilson Flowage 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 Upper Wilson Flowage
Where does the data for Upper Wilson Flowage 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 Upper Wilson Flowage.