Willow Falls dam
Willow Falls
Willow Falls, also known as Burkhardt Mills, is a stunning arch dam located on the Willow River in St. Croix, Wisconsin. Built in 1868, this dam stands at a height of 60 feet and has a hydraulic height of 55 feet, providing a beautiful recreational area for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 755 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 6,680 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for water management in the region.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Willow Falls poses a high hazard potential due to its age and condition. With a very high risk assessment rating of 1, the dam requires regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam is state-regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and has not been rated for its condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
As a key feature in the Detroit District and Congressional District 07, Wisconsin, Willow Falls serves as a vital recreational and water management resource. Its picturesque location and historical significance make it a must-visit destination for those interested in water resources and climate preservation. However, with its high hazard potential and very high risk assessment, continued attention and investment are crucial to safeguarding this important structure for future generations to enjoy.
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 Willow Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 91 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Falls.
Boat launches
- Willow River - Little Falls Flowage -- Access
- Perch Lake -- Access
- Bass Lake -- Public Access
- Saint Croix River -- North Hudson Ferry Landing Park
- Lake Mallalieu -- Access
- Saint Croix River -- Hudson Town Landing (Lakefront Park)
Campgrounds
- Willow River State Park Campground
- Willow River State Park
- Apple River Family Campground
- Hatfield City Park
- Hatfield Park Campground
- Tent
More reservoirs
Track Willow 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 Willow Falls
Where does the data for Willow 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 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Willow Falls.