Junction Falls dam
Junction Falls
Junction Falls, located on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin, is a captivating hydroelectric structure with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1920. This gravity dam stands at a height of 32 feet, with a hydraulic height of 25 feet, and a structural height of 32 feet. With a length of 144 feet and a storage capacity of 142 acre-feet, Junction Falls plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of water for hydroelectric purposes.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Junction Falls is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and a slide gate for outlet control. The dam has a significant hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. While its condition assessment is currently not available, the risk assessment for Junction Falls is rated as moderate, emphasizing the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Junction Falls to be a fascinating example of sustainable energy production through hydroelectric power. As a historic structure with a vital role in the local community, Junction Falls stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resources, showcasing the importance of responsible water resource management 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 Junction Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 90 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 23,500 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,700 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Red Wing | 24,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Junction Falls .
Boat launches
- Kinnickinnic River -- Hwy 65
- Saint Croix River -- Cove Road Landing
- 102nd Street South Washington County
- Saint Croix Lake -- King Landing
- Saint Croix River -- Hudson Town Landing (Lakefront Park)
- Lake Mallalieu -- Access
Track Junction Falls 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 Junction Falls
Where does the data for Junction Falls 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 Significant 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 Junction Falls .