Mill Creek 13a Dam
Mill Creek 13a
Mill Creek 13a, also known as Luttig, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Richland, Wisconsin. Managed by the local government and designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 640 feet in length. Completed in 1962, it serves multiple purposes including debris control, flood risk reduction, and recreation, with a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1 square mile.
Despite its age, Mill Creek 13a is assessed to be in fair condition with a low hazard potential. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 159 cubic feet per second. The structure is inspected every 10 years, with the last assessment conducted in April 2016. While it meets regulatory standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, there are no immediate plans for modification or improvement.
With its strategic location on the East Branch Mill Creek, Mill Creek 13a plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring the safety of nearby communities. As a key component of the local water management infrastructure, this dam continues to serve its purpose effectively while offering recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
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 Mill Creek 13a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Muscoda | 4,730 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 192 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 578 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs | → |
| Lemonweir River At New Lisbon | 179 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 2,610 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Creek 13a.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Mill Creek 13a
Where does the data for Mill Creek 13a 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 below 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.
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.