Totagatic dam
Totagatic
Totagatic, also known as Nelson Lake, is a gravity dam located in Sawyer, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1936, Totagatic stands at a height of 20 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 38,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 21,000 acre-feet. The dam has a surface area of 2,503 acres and a drainage area of 49.8 square miles, with a controlled spillway width of 37 feet.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Totagatic is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities. The dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. While it has a very high risk assessment rating due to its age and other factors, the emergency action plan for Totagatic meets guidelines and is regularly updated to ensure the safety of the surrounding area in case of a potential breach.
With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Totagatic serves as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its historical significance, combined with its natural beauty and the efforts to maintain its safety and functionality, make it a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of water management and environmental conservation.
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 Totagatic -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 154 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 167 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 245 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Totagatic.
Boat launches
- Nelson Lake -- Access At Dam
- Nelson Lake -- Access At Nelson Lake Landing (Resort)
- Nelson Lake -- Access At White Manor (Resort)
- Nelson Lake -- Access At Sunrise Bay (Resort)
- Nelson Lake -- Access At Tag-Alder Rd. (East Side Of Lake)
- Totagatic River -- Access At Wozny Rd
Campgrounds
- Phipps Landing
- Phipps
- Phipps Landing - St. Croix National Scenic River
- Mooney Dam County Park
- Mooney Dam Cp
- The Ballfield
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Totagatic 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 Totagatic
Where does the data for Totagatic 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 Totagatic.