Spring Lake dam
Spring Lake
Spring Lake in Jefferson, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam completed in 1844 primarily for recreation purposes. With a height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 14 feet, it provides a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 104 acres. The dam, located on the Scuppernong River, has a drainage area of 29.2 square miles and a maximum discharge of 654 cubic feet per second.
Despite being in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2019, Spring Lake has a high hazard potential due to its age and the surrounding risk of inundation. The dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring proper maintenance and enforcement measures are in place. The area offers recreational opportunities and serves as a vital water resource within the region.
Spring Lake's historical significance, coupled with its importance in water management and climate resilience efforts, make it a focal point for enthusiasts interested in sustainable water resource development and conservation practices. While facing challenges associated with its age and hazard potential, the dam continues to be a vital asset for the community, showcasing the intersection of recreation, environmental stewardship, and public safety.
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 Spring Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bark River Near Rome | 116 cfs | → |
| Mukwonago River At Mukwonago | 45 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Jackson Creek At Mound Road Near Elkhorn | 4 cfs | → |
| Bark River At Nagawicka Road At Delafield | 41 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Waukesha | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Lake.
Boat launches
- Lower Spring Lake - Shore Access Off Of Hwy 59
- Blue Spring Lake -- Access Nr Blue Spring Lk Rd And South Shore
- Bark River -- Access
- Ottawa Lake -- Access
- Pretty Lake -- Access
- Pleasant Lake Public Access
Campgrounds
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 3
- Ottawa Lake Campground
- Pinewoods Campground
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
- Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake
Where does the data for Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake.