Fulton dam
Fulton
Located in Rock, Wisconsin, the Fulton dam on the Yahara River was completed in 1849 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at 16 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 9 feet, this gravity dam spans 800 feet and has a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 553 square miles, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 9,600 cubic feet per second and a surface area of 49 acres.
Despite being rated as having low hazard potential and not currently assessed for condition, the Fulton dam poses a very high risk due to its age and limited inspection history. The last recorded inspection took place in August 1994, with an inspection frequency of 10 years. The dam has a controlled spillway type and is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
Given the dam's historical significance and potential risk, enthusiasts of water resources and climate should be aware of the Fulton dam's condition and the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality. As a key landmark in the area, efforts to assess and mitigate risks associated with the dam are crucial to preserving the surrounding environment and protecting downstream communities from the potential impacts of dam failure.
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 Fulton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yahara River Near Fulton | 285 cfs | → |
| Badfish Creek Near Cooksville | 108 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Forton St. Bridge At Stoughton | 227 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Afton | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Mc Farland | 132 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 2,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fulton.
Boat launches
- Gibbs Lake -- Access
- Rock River -- Newville Public Acces
- Bingham Road Boat Ramp
- Clear Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake
- Rock River - Janesville Riverside Park Boat Landing
- Royce Dallman
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Rock River
- Fishing Dock Handicapped Accessible
- Fishing Allowed
- Spring Grove Rearing Area
- Mccullom Lake
- Turner Lake
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Fulton 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 Fulton
Where does the data for Fulton 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 Fulton.