Bolger dam
Bolger
Located in Barron, Wisconsin, Bolger is a gravity dam on the Hemlock River with a primary purpose of recreation. Managed by the local government, this dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 390 acre-feet. The dam, which was completed in an unspecified year, spans a length of 120 feet and covers a surface area of 82 acres.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Bolger serves as an important recreational site in the area. Despite its state-regulated status in terms of permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the dam has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) date, and there is no available risk assessment or management measures associated with it. The emergency action plan (EAP) status and guidelines compliance for the dam remain unknown, highlighting areas that may need further attention for ensuring the safety and functionality of this water resource structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bolger presents an intriguing case study of a local government-managed dam in Wisconsin that provides recreational opportunities while also raising questions about its safety and risk management protocols. The data on Bolger's design, construction, and regulatory oversight offer valuable insights into the complexities of managing water infrastructure in a changing climate, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the resilience of such structures in the face of potential hazards.
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 Bolger -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bolger.
Boat launches
- Hemlock Lake -- Access At 28 1/2 Ave
- Murphy Flowage -- Ramp
- Red Cedar Lake - Access At Loch Lomond Beach Club
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access At End Of Pigeon Creek Rd Nr 28th
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access At End Of County Hwy V
- Red Cedar Lake - Access At Tagalong Golf And Resort
Campgrounds
- Murphy Flowage Park
- Waldo Carlson Park
- Audie Lake County Park
- Doolittle Park Campground
- Doolittle Park
- Paiute
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Bolger 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 Bolger
Where does the data for Bolger 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 Bolger.