Schrauths Mill dam
Schrauths Mill
Schrauths Mill, also known as Lake Bernice, is a captivating earth dam located on the West Branch Milwaukee River in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Built in 1840, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering visitors a serene spot to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. With a height of 13 feet and a storage capacity of 182 acre-feet, Schrauths Mill provides a picturesque setting with a surface area of 35 acres and a drainage area of 41 square miles.
Despite its age, Schrauths Mill remains in fair condition, with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating of 1. Regular inspections ensure its structural integrity, with the most recent assessment conducted in May 2020. The dam features a controlled spillway, and its operations are regulated and inspected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Its historical significance and scenic surroundings make it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to appreciate the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty.
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 Schrauths Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Rock River Near Mayville | 43 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 622 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rock River @ State Hwy 49 Nr Waupun | 40 cfs | → |
| South Branch Rock River At Waupun | 119 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarburg | 92 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Willow Road Near Plymouth | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schrauths Mill.
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive Town Of Auburn
- Mauthe Lake -- Access
- Town Of Theresa
- Kettle Moraine Lake -- Nansea's Tiki Bar
- Crooked Lake -- Access At S End Of Lake
- Rock River - East Fork -- Village Park 1
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Schrauths Mill 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 Schrauths Mill
Where does the data for Schrauths Mill 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 Schrauths Mill.