Independence dam
Independence
Independence, also known as Bugle Lake, is a gravity dam located in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Completed in 1877, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. With a height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, Independence is a vital part of the local ecosystem, providing a surface area of 35 acres for wildlife and water-based activities.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Independence is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, a recent condition assessment deemed it to be in fair condition as of September 2020. The dam's risk assessment indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
Independence's location on Elk Creek and its controlled spillway design further highlight its importance in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the area. With its rich history dating back over a century and ongoing efforts to maintain its functionality, Independence stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and recreational opportunities for the local community and visitors alike.
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 Independence -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 553 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 590 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 35,800 cfs | → |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Independence.
Boat launches
- Lake Henry -- Public Boat Landing
- Marinuka Lake -- Access
- Great River Road Town Of Trempealeau
- Mississippi River -- Fountain City Boat Dock
- Mississippi River -- Lower Fountain City Landing
- Mississippi River -- Merrick Park South
Campgrounds
- Lions Club - Four Seasons Park - Independence
- Pietrek Park Campgrounds
- Pietrek County Park
- Col Larson County Park
- Riverside Memorial Park
- Crystal Lake Park - Strum
Fishing spots
Track Independence 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 Independence
Where does the data for Independence 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 High 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 Independence.