Upper Steve Creek dam
Upper Steve Creek
Upper Steve Creek is a federal-owned recreational dam located in Taylor, Wisconsin, specifically in the city of Jump River. Built in 1963 by the USDA Forest Service, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 13 feet and stretches 600 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 650 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including providing a fish and wildlife habitat as well as offering recreational opportunities for visitors.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Upper Steve Creek dam is considered to be in overall good condition, although its condition assessment has not been rated. Despite not being regulated by the state, the Forest Service conducts regular inspections every 10 years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 6 feet wide, helps manage excess water flow, with a maximum discharge capacity of 70 cubic feet per second.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Upper Steve Creek as a prime example of sustainable dam infrastructure that balances environmental conservation with recreational benefits. Its strategic location in the Jump River area of Wisconsin provides a valuable resource for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, showcasing the importance of responsible water management practices in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.
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 Upper Steve Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Steve Creek.
Boat launches
- Upper Steve Creek -- Flowage Ramp
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access Off Park Rd.
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Ramp
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access Off Cth M
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access - Campers Dr.
- Hulls Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Big Falls County Campground
- Eastwood Recreation Area Campground
- Eastwood Campground
- Spearhead Point Campground
- West Point Recreation Area
- West Point Campground
Track Upper Steve Creek 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 Upper Steve Creek
Where does the data for Upper Steve Creek 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 Upper Steve Creek.