Wittenberg dam
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, also known as Homme, is a private dam located in Shawano, Wisconsin, along the Middle Branch Embarrass River. Completed in 1885, this gravity-type dam stands at a height of 22 feet, with a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 22 feet. The dam has a length of 271 feet and provides a normal storage capacity of 200 acre-feet for recreational purposes over a surface area of 40 acres.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment, Wittenberg poses a very high risk due to its age and the potential for failure. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 1,810 cubic feet per second and has undergone modifications in 1908. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in August 2018, to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency.
In the event of an emergency, it is crucial for the community to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place to guide response efforts and mitigate risks. While the EAP status for Wittenberg is unclear, it is essential for stakeholders and local authorities to ensure that the dam meets safety guidelines and that adequate risk management measures are in place to protect both the environment and public safety in this picturesque part of Wisconsin.
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 Wittenberg -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Morgan Road Near Morgan | 229 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 249 cfs | → |
| Embarrass River Near Embarrass | 709 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 4,780 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 58 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Langlade | 433 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wittenberg.
Boat launches
- Homme Pond -- Access
- Wilson Lake -- Access Off Oak Rd
- Norrie Lake -- Access
- Mayflower Lake -- Access
- Bass Lake -- Access At Sw Side Of Lake At End Of Landing Rd
- Mud Lake -- Access At S End Of Lake
Track Wittenberg 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 Wittenberg
Where does the data for Wittenberg 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.