Chetek dam
Chetek
Chetek, located in Barron County, Wisconsin, is home to the Chetek River Dam, a gravity-type structure completed in 1865 primarily for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. The dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet, with a length of 260 feet and a storage capacity of 34,160 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 28,500 acre-feet and a surface area of 3,764 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the water resources of the area.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the Chetek Dam is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in February 2018. The dam, which is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2,890 cubic feet per second and a controlled spillway type, the dam is equipped to manage flood events and protect the surrounding communities. Overall, Chetek serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region, contributing to both energy production and recreational activities along the Chetek River.
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 Chetek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,280 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,280 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chetek.
Boat launches
- Lake Chetek -- Access
- Pokegama Lake -- Access At County Road D
- Prairie Lake -- Access - E Side Lake - Off 24 1/2 St
- Tenmile Lake -- Access
- Bass Lake -- Access At Near 27 1/4th Street
Campgrounds
- Southworth County Park
- Veterans Memorial Park - Cameron
- Myron Park
- Myron Park & Campground
- Myron County Park
- Morris-Erickson Campground
More reservoirs
Track Chetek 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 Chetek
Where does the data for Chetek 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 High 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.