Hayman Falls dam
Hayman Falls
Hayman Falls, located in Shawano, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam completed in 1918 for recreational purposes along the Embarrass River. With a height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 14 feet, this dam provides a surface area of 80 acres and a maximum discharge of 6,000 cubic feet per second. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 97 feet, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure.
Although last inspected in 1995, with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating of 1, Hayman Falls remains a well-maintained and monitored structure. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 415 acre-feet and a total storage of 660 acre-feet, serving as a vital recreational resource for the community. Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure the safety of its surrounding area and the Embarrass River ecosystem.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate Hayman Falls for its historical significance, engineering design, and environmental impact. As a key feature in the Detroit District of Wisconsin, this dam showcases the importance of sustainable water management practices and the preservation of natural habitats. With its serene location and recreational opportunities, Hayman Falls stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human infrastructure and the natural world in the heart of Shawano County.
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 Hayman Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Embarrass River Near Embarrass | 695 cfs | → |
| Red River At Morgan Road Near Morgan | 215 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf River At Royalton | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Oconto River Near Gillett | 678 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hayman Falls.
Boat launches
- North Branch Embarrass River -- Tilleda Pond Access
- Pigeon Lake -- Access
- Tigerton Pond -- Access
- Wolf River -- Access At Judd Park Boat Ramp
- Shawano -- Huckleberry Harbor Access
- Balsam Row Pond/Wolf River -- Boat Ramp
Track Hayman Falls 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 Hayman Falls
Where does the data for Hayman Falls 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 Hayman Falls.