Ludden Lake dam
Ludden Lake
Ludden Lake, also known as Eckels Dam No. 2, is a picturesque earth dam located in Iowa County, Wisconsin, along the Mineral Point Branch river. Built in 1964 for recreational purposes, this dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 700 acre-feet. With a surface area of 58 acres and a drainage area of 24 square miles, Ludden Lake offers a tranquil retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Ludden Lake is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with environmental standards. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, a moderate risk assessment suggests the need for ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the dam and surrounding community. With a controlled spillway width of 5270 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 5270 cubic feet per second, Ludden Lake remains a crucial water resource for the region, offering both recreational opportunities and essential flood control benefits.
As a part of the Rock Island District and situated within the congressional jurisdiction of Representative Mark Pocan (D), Ludden Lake serves as a valuable asset for local government and the community at large. With its serene waters, scenic surroundings, and well-maintained facilities, this dam exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and ecological conservation, making it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the beauty and resilience of Wisconsin's natural landscapes.
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 Ludden Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecatonica River At Darlington | 191 cfs | → |
| East Br Pecatonica River Near Blanchardville | 153 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Rockville | 182 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Muscoda | 8,530 cfs | → |
| Black Earth Creek At Black Earth | 41 cfs | → |
| Sinsinawa River Near Menominee | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ludden Lake.
Boat launches
- Town Of Mineral Point
- Lake Joy -- Campground Boat Launch
- Pecatonica River -- Access At Cth G
- Cox Hollow Lake -- Access
- Blackhawk Lake -- Access
- Twin Valley Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Governor Dodge State Park Campground
- Blackhawk Lake Rec Area - Highland
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Twin Valley Campground
- Pecatonica River Trails Park Campground
- Moundview Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
More reservoirs
Track Ludden Lake 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 Ludden Lake
Where does the data for Ludden Lake 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 Ludden Lake.