Rockdale dam
Rockdale
Rockdale is a private dam located in Dane County, Wisconsin, along the Koshkonong Creek. Built in 1925, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 590 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, Rockdale offers a surface area of 104 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 1290 cubic feet per second.
Despite its significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Rockdale has not been rated for its current condition. However, the dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a drainage area of 134 square miles, Rockdale plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Rockdale as a recreational dam in Dane County. As a privately owned structure, Rockdale serves as both a leisure destination and a critical water management facility, contributing to the overall ecological health and water sustainability of the surrounding area. Its location along the Koshkonong Creek adds to its scenic charm and underscores its role in the local landscape.
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 Rockdale -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Forton St. Bridge At Stoughton | 227 cfs | → |
| Yahara River Near Fulton | 285 cfs | → |
| Crawfish River At Milford | 624 cfs | → |
| Badfish Creek Near Cooksville | 108 cfs | → |
| Yahara River At Mc Farland | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rockdale.
Boat launches
- Lake Ripley -- Access - Nr Marina Ln
- Lake Ripley -- Access - Nr Island Ln
- Red Cedar Lake -- Access
- Dane Co Munson Rd .66km East Of Prairie Drive
- Bingham Road Boat Ramp
- North Shore Road N1835, Fort Atkinson
Campgrounds
- Sandhill Station
- Jellystone Campground
- Hidden Valley Rv Resort
- Babcock County Park Campground
- Fox's Den
- W.D. Boyce
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Rockdale 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 Rockdale
Where does the data for Rockdale 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 Significant 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 Rockdale.