Kaukauna Locks And Dam dam
Kaukauna Locks And Dam
The Kaukauna Locks and Dam, located on the Fox River in Wisconsin, was completed in 1931 with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. This concrete structure, owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, also serves hydroelectric, navigation, recreation, and water supply purposes. With a significant hazard potential, the dam has a very high risk assessment rating due to potential failure of the concrete wall and tainter gates. However, recent risk management measures, including regular monitoring, inspections, and emergency action plans, have improved the structure's reliability and long-term resilience.
To address concerns with the dam, the USACE has replaced tainter gates and performed pier repairs, while the State rehabilitated the locks in 2007 to enhance in-season navigation. With a controlled spillway and five locks, the Kaukauna Locks and Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and ensuring the safety of nearby communities. Despite the identified risks, the coordinated efforts of the USACE, State, and hydropower company have helped mitigate potential hazards and maintain the functionality of this vital water resource infrastructure.
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 Kaukauna Locks And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Appleton | 8,860 cfs | → |
| East River At Ct Highway Zz Near Greenleaf | 8 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Near Howard | 27 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oil Tank Depot At Green Bay | 11,300 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oshkosh | 12,600 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 3,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kaukauna Locks And Dam.
Boat launches
- Fox River -- Kaukauna - Riverside Park Ramp
- Fox River -- Village Of Kimberly - Sunset Park Ramp
- Fox River -- Wrightstown Launch
- Firelane 8 Village Of Harrison
- Lake Winnebago -- State Park Road - Street Access
- Fox River -- Appleton - Lutz Park Ramps
Track Kaukauna Locks And Dam 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 Kaukauna Locks And Dam
Where does the data for Kaukauna Locks And Dam 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 Significant 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 Kaukauna Locks And Dam.