Udeys dam
Udeys
Udeys, located in Columbia, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam on the Crawfish River completed in 1917 primarily for recreation purposes. With a structural height of 14 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, Udeys has a storage capacity of 185 acre-feet and a surface area of 26 acres. The dam's spillway type is controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 4,250 cubic feet per second.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Udeys has a high hazard potential, prompting a biennial inspection frequency. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as very high, emphasizing the importance of proper risk management measures. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and has state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
Udeys serves as a key recreational spot in the area, attracting visitors to enjoy its scenic beauty and water-based activities. The dam's location in proximity to the city of Columbus makes it easily accessible for residents and visitors alike. With its historical significance and vital role in the local water resource management, Udeys stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in mitigating climate-related risks.
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 Udeys -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam River At Beaver Dam | 189 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Watertown | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Crawfish River At Milford | 624 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Windsor | 26 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 577 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At State Hwy 113 At Madison | 78 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Udeys.
Boat launches
- Rotary Park
- Lazy Lake -- Access - Near Dam
- Lazy Lake -- Near Lazy Lake Rd
- Lazy Lake -- Access - Sleepy Hollow Rd
- Lost Lake -- Boat Ramp
- Lost Lake -- Town Park
Campgrounds
- Astico County Park Campground
- Derge Park
- Wild Goose City Park
- Token Creek County Park
- Sandhill Station
- Jamison Town Park
Paddle runs
Track Udeys 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 Udeys
Where does the data for Udeys 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Udeys.