Beaverdam Lake Dam dam
Beaverdam Lake Dam
Beaverdam Lake Dam, located in Ashland, Wisconsin, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Built in 1944, this Earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a length of 150 feet, providing a storage capacity of 11,029 acre-feet. With a normal storage of 550 acre-feet and a surface area of 3,000 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Beaverdam Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a current condition assessment of "Not Rated." The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet and undergoes inspections every 10 years, with the last inspection conducted in July 2012. While it does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, ensuring water supply and flood control for the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and engineering marvel of Beaverdam Lake Dam. With its strategic location and vital role in water storage and management, this Federal-owned Earth dam stands as a testament to effective infrastructure planning and management in 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 Beaverdam Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 156 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 198 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 17 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaverdam Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mineral Lake -- Access
- English Lake -- Access
- Potters Lake -- Access Nr County Hwy Gg
- Town Of Marengo
- Coffee Lake Road Town Of Grandview
- Meder Lake - Access
Campgrounds
- Lake Three
- Mineral Lake
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area Campground
- South Camp Area
- Copper Falls State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Beaverdam Lake 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 Beaverdam Lake Dam
Where does the data for Beaverdam Lake 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 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 Beaverdam Lake Dam.