Chelsea Lake dam
Chelsea Lake
Chelsea Lake, located in Taylor County, Wisconsin, is a picturesque reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam, completed in 1962, stands at a height of 11 feet and spans 160 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 850 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 60 acres and is fed by Fisher Creek, offering a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Despite its low hazard potential, Chelsea Lake has been assessed to be in poor condition, with a very high risk rating. The dam's last inspection in 2015 revealed the need for improvements, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and monitoring. The state-regulated dam is subject to permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure for both recreational users and the surrounding environment.
As a vital water resource in the region, Chelsea Lake serves as a valuable asset for local government and the community of Westboro. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, the lake offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities while also serving as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climates.
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 Chelsea Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chelsea Lake.
Boat launches
- Chelsea Lake -- Access
- Shearer Lake -- Ramp
- Wellington Lake -- Ramp
- State Highway 102 854, Rib Lake
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access - Campers Dr.
- North Twin Lake -- Access At Se Side Lake Nr Twin Lake Rd
Campgrounds
- Lakeview Park Campground
- Picnic Point Recreation Area Campground
- Picnic Point Campground
- West Point Campground
- West Point Recreation Area
- Spearhead Point Campground
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Chelsea 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 Chelsea Lake
Where does the data for Chelsea 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 Chelsea Lake.