Strum dam
Strum
Strum, also known as Crystal Lake, is a gravity dam located in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, along the Buffalo River. Built in 1937, this dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 750 feet, Strum has a normal storage capacity of 155 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 10,485 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Strum has a low hazard potential and is assessed to be in fair condition as of November 2017. The dam is regularly inspected, with the last inspection conducted in November 2012. Despite its low hazard potential, Strum is considered to have a very high risk assessment rating of 1, indicating the importance of continued monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Overall, Strum plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the area and provides a valuable resource for both flood control and recreational purposes. With its historical significance and strategic location along the Buffalo River, Strum remains an essential component of water resource management in Wisconsin.
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 Strum -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 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 Strum.
Boat launches
- Fall Creek Pond -- Access
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Kewin St
- Chippewa River -- Hobbs Landing
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Indian Hills Dr
- Halfmoon Lake -- Access
- Lake Eau Claire --- Access Near Sd Ln
Campgrounds
- Crystal Lake Park - Strum
- Col Larson County Park
- Mondovi Town Park Campground
- Mondovi Town Park
- Lions Club - Four Seasons Park - Independence
- Harstad Park
Fishing spots
Track Strum 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 Strum
Where does the data for Strum 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 Strum.