Whitewater Lake dam
Whitewater Lake
Whitewater Lake, located in Walworth, Wisconsin, is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government for recreational purposes. Constructed in 1925, this gravity dam stands at 11 feet tall and spans 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 4,300 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 640 acres and drains an area of 70 square miles, serving as the inlet to Rice Lake.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Whitewater Lake is subject to periodic inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the lake is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Whitewater Lake's historical significance, scenic beauty, and role in providing recreational opportunities for the local community. As a well-maintained gravity dam with a long-standing presence in the area, Whitewater Lake continues to be a valuable asset for both residents and visitors seeking to enjoy its tranquil waters and natural surroundings while remaining mindful of its risk management measures and regulatory oversight.
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 Whitewater Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Creek At Mound Road Near Elkhorn | 4 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Robert Street At Fort Atkinson | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Bark River Near Rome | 116 cfs | → |
| Turtle Creek At Carvers Rock Road Near Clinton | 194 cfs | → |
| Piscasaw Creek Near Walworth | 3 cfs | → |
| White River At Center Street At Lake Geneva | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitewater Lake.
Boat launches
- Rice Lake -- Access
- Cruise Lane 7699, Town Of Whitewater
- Turtle Lake Public Boat Launch
- Barkers Road Town Of Sugar Creek
- Trippe Lake Park
- Lauderdale Lakes Westshore Drive Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 3
- Kmsf-Su Shelter 2
- Jellystone Campground
- Ottawa Lake Campground
- Hidden Valley Rv Resort
- Mukwonago County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Whitewater 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 Whitewater Lake
Where does the data for Whitewater 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 Whitewater Lake.