Fox Lake dam
Fox Lake
Fox Lake, located in Dodge County, Wisconsin, is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government for recreation purposes. This gravity dam, completed in 1838, stands at 16 feet in height and spans 420 feet in length. The lake has a storage capacity of 22,000 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 14,400 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 2,625 acres and draining a 52-square-mile area.
Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Fox Lake poses a low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam has been periodically inspected with the last assessment conducted in September 2019. The risk assessment for the dam is very high, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the sustainability of the water resource in the face of climate challenges.
With its rich history dating back to the 19th century and its vital role in providing recreational opportunities for the local community, Fox Lake remains a symbol of the intersection of water resource management and environmental stewardship. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the conservation and preservation of Fox Lake serve as a testament to the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding our natural assets for future generations.
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 Fox Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam River At Beaver Dam | 189 cfs | → |
| South Branch Rock River At Waupun | 104 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rock River @ State Hwy 49 Nr Waupun | 40 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 577 cfs | → |
| White Creek @ Spring Grove Road Nr Green Lake | 6 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rock River Near Mayville | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fox Lake.
Boat launches
- Fox Lake -- Access - Nr Indian Point Rd
- Beaver Dam Lake -- Mill Road Boat Launch
- Beaver Dam Lake -- Access At Spring Road
- Beaver Dam Lake -- Hickory Point Boat Landing
- Fox Lake -- Town Of Fox Lake Park
- Beaver Dam Lake -- Springs Bar And Grill Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Derge Park
- Wild Goose City Park
- Astico County Park Campground
- Camp Grow
- Ledge County Park Campground
- Indian Trails Campground
Paddle runs
Track Fox Lake 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 Fox Lake
Where does the data for Fox Lake 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 Fox Lake.