Brownlee dam
Brownlee
Brownlee, also known as Mirror Lake, is a recreational dam located in Wisconsin, specifically in Buffalo County near the city of Mondovi. Built in 1859, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a hydraulic height of 24 feet, providing a storage capacity of 255 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with a surface area of 30 acres and a drainage area of 20 square miles.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Brownlee is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with a moderate risk rating of 3. The dam has a controlled spillway type and a maximum discharge capacity of 4,245 cubic feet per second, serving as a vital component for water resource management in the region.
With its historical significance and importance for recreational activities, Brownlee Dam on Brownlee and Peeso Creek continues to be a focal point for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates alike. Its location, design, and regulatory oversight make it a valuable asset in the region's water infrastructure, highlighting the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship in managing our water resources.
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 Brownlee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brownlee.
Boat launches
- Chippewa River -- Access At Holte's Landing
- Chippewa River -- Access At 730th St Town Of Peru
- Red Cedar River -- Dunnville Bottoms Boat Landing
- Lower Chippewa River -- Landing - Durand
- Thompson Lake -- Access
- Elk Lake
Campgrounds
- Mondovi Town Park
- Mondovi Town Park Campground
- Crystal Lake Park - Strum
- Tarrant Park Campground
- Holden Park Campground
- Lions Club - Four Seasons Park - Independence
Fishing spots
Track Brownlee 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 Brownlee
Where does the data for Brownlee 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.