Stoughton dam
Stoughton
Located in Dane County, Wisconsin, the Stoughton hydroelectric plant stands along the Yahara River, serving as a vital water resource and climate asset in the region. Built in 1916, this earth dam structure boasts a height of 11 feet and a length of 520 feet, with a capacity to store 500 acre-feet of water for hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities. The dam's controlled spillway and low hazard potential contribute to its satisfactory condition assessment, ensuring the safety and functionality of the facility.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Stoughton dam undergoes regular inspections to uphold its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a drainage area of 429 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 2520 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the area. Additionally, its very high risk assessment rating signifies the importance of implementing proper risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and environment.
As a key player in the conservation and utilization of water resources, the Stoughton hydroelectric plant continues to uphold its role in sustainable energy production and recreational opportunities for the residents of Stoughton and beyond. With a history of modifications and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam remains a cornerstone in water management efforts, showcasing the intersection of innovation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement in the realm of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Stoughton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yahara River At Forton St. Bridge At Stoughton | 227 cfs | → |
| Badfish Creek Near Cooksville | 108 cfs | → |
| Yahara River Near Fulton | 285 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Mc Farland | 132 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At East Main Street At Madison | 120 cfs | → |
| Badger Mill Creek At Verona | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stoughton.
Boat launches
- Lake Kegonsa -- Amundsons Landing
- Lake Kegonsa State Park Boat Ramp
- Williams Point Drive Town Of Pleasant Springs
- Fish Camp Launch Park Boat Ramp - Lake Kegonsa
- Camp Leonard Road Town Of Dunn
- Lake Waubesa -- Access Nr Larson Beach Rd
Campgrounds
- Babcock County Park Campground
- Hidden Valley Rv Resort
- E.T. Seton
- Fox's Den
- W.D. Boyce
- Camp Indian Trails
Paddle runs
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
More reservoirs
Track Stoughton 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 Stoughton
Where does the data for Stoughton 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 Stoughton.