Stebbinsville dam
Stebbinsville
Stebbinsville, located in Rock County, Wisconsin, is a privately-owned hydroelectric dam on the Yahara River with a history dating back to its completion in 1918. The dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet, serving primarily for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. With a normal storage capacity of 470 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 3,590 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Stebbinsville poses a very high risk due to its age and condition assessment being ungraded. The dam has not undergone a condition assessment, and the last inspection was conducted in 2010, with an inspection frequency of 10 years. While the dam has not been rated for its current condition, the risk management measures and emergency action plans for the structure are not specified. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts may find Stebbinsville an intriguing case study for its historical significance and potential risk factors associated with aging infrastructure and lack of updated assessments and management strategies.
As a key component in the water resource infrastructure of the Yahara River, Stebbinsville presents a unique opportunity for further research and analysis in the realm of climate change adaptation and resilience planning. The dam's location, operational history, and risk profile make it a compelling subject for those interested in the intersection of water management, climate impacts, and emergency preparedness. With its low hazard potential but high-risk classification, Stebbinsville underscores the importance of proactive monitoring, maintenance, and risk mitigation strategies for aging dams in the face of evolving climate conditions and potential hazards.
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 Stebbinsville -- 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 | → |
| Yahara River At Mc Farland | 132 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Afton | 3,240 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 Stebbinsville.
Boat launches
- Gibbs Lake -- Access
- Rock River -- Newville Public Acces
- Lake Leota Boat Launch
- Bingham Road Boat Ramp
- Lake Kegonsa -- Amundsons Landing
- Lake Kegonsa State Park Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Stebbinsville 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 Stebbinsville
Where does the data for Stebbinsville 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 Stebbinsville.