Upper Watertown Dam
Upper Watertown
Upper Watertown, located in the city of Watertown, Wisconsin, is a private hydroelectric dam on the Rock River that was completed in 1909. This buttress dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a length of 278 feet, with a storage capacity of 720 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 550 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and permitted by the state, but not inspected by the state agency.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 173 feet and 12 slide (sluice gate) outlet gates. Although the condition assessment is not available, an emergency action plan was last revised in March 2021. The dam poses a moderate risk, but meets guidelines for emergency preparedness and does not have inundation maps prepared. Despite its age, Upper Watertown continues to be a key structure for water resource management, highlighting the intersection of history, engineering, and climate resilience in the region.
With its rich history, unique design features, and critical role in hydroelectric power generation, Upper Watertown is a fascinating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's location on the Rock River, its association with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and its low hazard potential make it a noteworthy structure for those interested in the intersection of water management, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. As efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable energy sources continue, Upper Watertown serves as a reminder of the important role that historic dams play in our modern water infrastructure systems.
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 Upper Watertown -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Watertown | 132 cfs | → |
| Crawfish River At Milford | 110 cfs | → |
| Bark River Near Rome | 26 cfs | → |
| Bark River At Nagawicka Road At Delafield | 22 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 60 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 334 cfs | → |
About Upper Watertown
Where does the data for Upper Watertown 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 below 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.
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.