Musser dam
Musser
Musser Dam, located on the Big Elk River in Price, Wisconsin, was completed in 1936 with a primary purpose of recreation. This gravity-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet, with a structural height matching the dam height. The dam has a length of 150 feet and a storage capacity of 5600 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 2790 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Musser Dam is in satisfactory condition with low hazard potential, as indicated by a recent inspection in October 2019. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 63 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 4900 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for Musser Dam rates it as very high (1), emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Given its importance for recreation and its role in water resource management, Musser Dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam has undergone modifications in 1994 and 2001, reflecting a commitment to its continued operation and safety. With its picturesque location and vital function in the region, Musser Dam serves as a key asset for both local residents and visitors to enjoy.
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 Musser -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| North Creek @ Trout Lake Nr Boulder Junction | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Musser.
Boat launches
- Big Dardis Lake -- Landing
- Solberg Lake -- Landing
- Solberg Lake -- County Park Ramp
- Elk Lake/Duroy Lake -- Lionite Park Access
- Sailor Lake Road Town Of Fifield
- Wilson Flowage -- Access
Campgrounds
- Solberg Lake County Park Campground
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Smith Rapids Campground
- Smith Lake County Park & Campground
- Smith Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Track Musser 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 Musser
Where does the data for Musser 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 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 Musser.