Elk Creek dam
Elk Creek
Elk Creek in Dunn, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam completed in 1926 primarily for recreation and water supply purposes. The dam stands at a height of 24 feet with a hydraulic height of 21 feet and a length of 137 feet, impounding a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 380 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the picturesque Elk Creek, providing a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to enjoy a variety of recreational activities.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, Elk Creek Dam has undergone modifications in 1934, 1953, 1988, and 1998. A recent inspection in May 2020 rated the dam's condition as fair, with a very high risk assessment score of 1. While the dam is under state regulation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, it has not been associated with any federal agencies for funding, design, construction, or operation. With its rich history and contribution to the local water supply and recreation, Elk Creek Dam remains a significant landmark in the region.
As a gravity dam nestled in the Detroit District, Elk Creek Dam holds a special place in the hearts of water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its tranquil reservoir, covering 46 acres and serving a drainage area of 80 square miles, provides a valuable habitat for wildlife and a serene backdrop for outdoor activities. With its controlled spillway and history dating back over a century, Elk Creek Dam continues to be a vital part of the local landscape, offering both practical water supply benefits and recreational opportunities for visitors 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 Elk Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 841 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 323 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Creek.
Boat launches
- Elk Lake
- Chippewa River -- Access At Holte's Landing
- Halfmoon Lake -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Hobbs Landing
- Dells Pond -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Access At 730th St Town Of Peru
Campgrounds
- Hoffman's Hills
- Irvington Campground & Rv Park
- Fair Hill Campgounds
- Fair Hill County Campground
- Mondovi Town Park
- Mondovi Town Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Elk Creek 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 Elk Creek
Where does the data for Elk Creek 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 Elk Creek.