Lower Power dam
Lower Power
Lower Power, also known as Saint Croix, is a gravity dam located on the Willow River in Hudson, Wisconsin. Completed in 1866, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 270 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 15,900 cubic feet per second. With a height of 22 feet and a hydraulic height of 14 feet, Lower Power provides a tranquil reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 1,388 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Lower Power has a low hazard potential and has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2016. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections every 10 years. Its controlled spillway ensures proper water management, while the risk assessment ranks the dam as having a very high risk level. The surrounding area is known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, making Lower Power a vital resource for both the local community and visitors alike.
Overall, Lower Power stands as a historic landmark in St. Croix, Wisconsin, offering a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and water recreation. With its rich history dating back to the 19th century and continued operation for over a century, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of water resource management and the preservation of natural landscapes. As climate change poses new challenges to water infrastructure, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Lower Power become increasingly crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources for future generations.
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 Lower Power -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 91 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Power.
Boat launches
- Lake Mallalieu -- Access
- Saint Croix River -- Hudson Town Landing (Lakefront Park)
- Saint Croix River -- North Hudson Ferry Landing Park
- Saint Croix Lake -- King Landing
- Willow River - Little Falls Flowage -- Access
- Perch Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Willow River State Park
- Willow River State Park Campground
- Lake Elmo County Park Preserve
- Afton State Park Back Country Campground
- Afton State Park River Side
- Afton State Park
More reservoirs
Track Lower Power 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 Lower Power
Where does the data for Lower Power 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 Lower Power.