Svetlik Milling Company dam
Svetlik Milling Company
The Svetlik Milling Company is a historic dam located on the Yellow River in Chippewa, Wisconsin, and has been providing recreational opportunities since it was completed in 1907. Owned by the local government, this gravity dam stands at 14 feet high and has a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the area. The dam has undergone modifications in 1915, 1983, and 1994 to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Despite its age, the Svetlik Milling Company dam is in fair condition with a low hazard potential, according to a recent assessment. The controlled spillway with a width of 200 feet helps manage the maximum discharge of 11,380 cubic feet per second, minimizing the risk of flooding downstream. The dam's risk assessment indicates a very high risk level of 1, prompting regular inspections every 10 years to ensure its continued safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
With its picturesque location and historical significance, the Svetlik Milling Company dam serves as a valuable asset for the local community and visitors alike. Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, this dam exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of water resource management and recreational enjoyment in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Svetlik Milling Company -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 897 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 376 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Svetlik Milling Company.
Boat launches
- Yellow River -- Access
- Little Lake Wissota -- Access
- Lake Wissota / Yellow River -- Access At Lake Wissota State Park
- Lake Wissota -- Access - Near County Highway X
- Chippewa River -- Access Off 189th St (North Of Lake Wissota)
- Pike Lake -- Access
Track Svetlik Milling Company 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 Svetlik Milling Company
Where does the data for Svetlik Milling Company 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 Svetlik Milling Company.