Bad Axe 34 dam
Bad Axe 34
Bad Axe 34, also known as Tally, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Vernon, Wisconsin, along the South Fork Bad Axe River. Completed in 1965 by USDA NRCS, this dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction purposes, with a dam height of 40 feet and a length of 520 feet. It has a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 370 cubic feet per second, covering a drainage area of 7.4 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Bad Axe 34 is regulated and inspected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, demonstrating the commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of the structure. The last inspection was conducted in March 2011, with a scheduled frequency of every 10 years. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, it is essential for stakeholders and water resource enthusiasts to stay informed about any potential risk management measures or updates regarding this dam to mitigate any unforeseen challenges or issues.
Overall, Bad Axe 34 stands as a crucial infrastructure for flood control and debris management along the South Fork Bad Axe River, serving as a testament to the collaborative efforts between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS. With its strategic location and purpose-driven design, this dam plays a vital role in safeguarding the surrounding communities from potential flooding events, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions and water resource management challenges.
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 Bad Axe 34 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 1,860 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 3,040 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 956 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bad Axe 34.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Bad Axe 34
Where does the data for Bad Axe 34 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.