Stanley Mill dam
Stanley Mill
Stanley Mill, located in Chippewa, Wisconsin, along the Wolf River, is a historic gravity dam that was completed in 1890 for recreation purposes. The dam stands at 22 feet tall with a length of 670 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. Despite being over a century old, Stanley Mill is still in satisfactory condition, with inspections conducted every three years to ensure its integrity. The dam has a significant hazard potential, but proper risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential issues.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 150 feet, is of the controlled type, ensuring proper water release during periods of high flow. The surrounding area offers a surface area of 34 acres for recreational activities, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With a drainage area of 31 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 4160 cubic feet per second, Stanley Mill plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the region. Additionally, the dam has undergone several modifications over the years to enhance its functionality and safety, with the most recent one in 2010.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Stanley Mill serves as a vital part of the water infrastructure in the area. The dam's location in S26, T29N, R5W, combined with its historical significance and recreational value, makes it a popular destination for visitors interested in water resources and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact water availability and management, Stanley Mill stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource practices for future generations.
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 Stanley Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 4,260 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 223 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 210 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 797 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stanley Mill.
Boat launches
- Otter Lake -- Access At 365th St
- Yellow River -- Access At Cth S North
- Otter Lake -- Access At Near 165th Ave
- Otter Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake End Of Road Off 170th Ave
- Pike Lake -- Access
- Mead Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Otter Lake Campground
- Mead Lake Park
- Rock Dam Park
- Lake Wissota State Park Campground
- Lake Wissota State Park
- Brunet Island State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Stanley 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 Stanley Mill
Where does the data for Stanley 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 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 Stanley Mill.