Alma Mill 4 dam
Alma Mill 4
Alma Mill 4, also known as Russel Whitted, is a crucial structure located in Buffalo, Wisconsin, designed by the USDA NRCS to serve the primary purpose of debris control and flood risk reduction along the TR FIMIAN CREEK. This earth dam, completed in 1963, stands at a height of 32 feet and stretches 540 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, regular inspections every 10 years by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ensure its continued functionality and safety.
Situated in a picturesque location with a surface area of 4 acres and a drainage area of 0.2 square miles, Alma Mill 4 plays a vital role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flood risks. Its uncontrolled spillway type and maximum discharge capacity of 1240 cubic feet per second highlight its importance in protecting the surrounding areas from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events. With State regulation, permitting, and inspection in place, Alma Mill 4 stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Managed by local government authorities and nestled within the Detroit District, Alma Mill 4 exemplifies a successful collaboration between federal and state agencies, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service overseeing its design and operation. With a moderate risk assessment in place, continuous monitoring and adherence to guidelines ensure the structure's ability to withstand any potential emergencies. As a critical component in the region's water infrastructure, Alma Mill 4 stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation strategies in safeguarding communities from environmental hazards.
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 Alma Mill 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 569 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 6,740 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 607 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 34,300 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alma Mill 4.
Boat launches
- Mississippi River -- Dairyland Power Landing (Alma)
- Mississippi River -- Alma Marina
- Mississippi River -- Belvidere Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Beef Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Indian Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Upper Spring Lake Landing
Campgrounds
- Reicks Lake Park Campground
- Reicks Lake Park
- Richard J. Dorer Sf -Snake Creek
- Richard J. Dorer State Forest- Kruger Campground
- John Latsch State Park
- Richard J. Dorer Sf -Zumbro Bottom Horse Camp North
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Alma Mill 4 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 Alma Mill 4
Where does the data for Alma Mill 4 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 Alma Mill 4.