Brickbauer dam
Brickbauer
Brickbauer is a privately owned dam located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, along the Mullet River. Built in 1865, this gravity-type dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 750 feet. The primary purpose of Brickbauer Dam is recreation, providing a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a surface area of 15 acres. With a drainage area of 72 square miles, the dam has a maximum discharge of 300 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Brickbauer Dam is still in fair condition, with a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. The dam is state-regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and undergoes regular inspections every two years. The dam features a controlled spillway and is located in a rural area with a relatively low population density. However, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unknown, raising concerns about its resilience to potential climate-related incidents.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Brickbauer Dam an intriguing case study due to its historical significance, recreational value, and high-risk profile. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure across the globe, understanding the vulnerabilities and resilience of dams like Brickbauer becomes increasingly important for ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability. The data provided offers a glimpse into the complexities of managing aging infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges, highlighting the need for proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in the water resource sector.
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 Brickbauer -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek At Willow Road Near Plymouth | 31 cfs | → |
| Sheboygan River At Sheboygan | 326 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarburg | 92 cfs | → |
| Manitowoc River At Manitowoc | 436 cfs | → |
| Milwaukee River Near Cedarburg | 456 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rock River Near Mayville | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brickbauer.
Boat launches
- Little Elkhart Lake -- Access - Sw Side Of Lake -- Nr Schwaller Dr
- Big And Little Gerber Lakes -- Access
- Crystal Lake -- Access At S Side Of Lake Nr County Hwy C
- Lake Ellen -- Access - Dnr Land - End Of Ellen View Rd
- Big Elkhart Lake -- Access Nr Cth P
- North College Avenue Town Of Herman
Campgrounds
- Shelter #5 (Greenbush Kettle)
- Shelter #4 (Parnell Trail)
- Teepee
- Eagle Point
- Sunset Ridge
- Lost Arrow North
More reservoirs
Track Brickbauer 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 Brickbauer
Where does the data for Brickbauer 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 High 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 Brickbauer.