Godfrey Lake dam
Godfrey Lake
Godfrey Lake, located in Polk County, Wisconsin, is a man-made reservoir constructed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam structure on Knapp Creek has a height of 13 feet and a length of 132 feet, creating a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet and a surface area of 26 acres. With a controlled spillway and a low hazard potential, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state standards.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of May 2020, Godfrey Lake poses a very high risk, indicating the importance of effective risk management measures to prevent potential hazards. The dam is located in a scenic area near the Detroit District, with a nearby congressman, Sean P. Duffy, representing the region. The lake offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and serves as a vital water resource for the local community, showcasing the intersection of water conservation, climate resilience, and public safety in managing this essential infrastructure.
With a history of continuous state oversight and periodic inspections, Godfrey Lake remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable management practices. As a vital component of the local landscape, this dam underscores the significance of balancing recreational needs with environmental protection, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure their long-term viability in a changing climate.
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 Godfrey Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Godfrey Lake.
Boat launches
- Clam Falls Flowage -- Access
- Little Deer Road 22400, Town Of Siren
- Coon Lake -- Access
- Ward Lake -- Access
- State Highway 35 23630, Siren
- Bone Lake -- Access Nr Bone Lake Park Ln
Campgrounds
- Straight Lake Campground
- Big Butternut Lake
- Kirby Lake Primitive
- Dn Campground
- Balsam Lake Pine Park - Town
- Balsam Lake Campground
Paddle runs
Track Godfrey 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 Godfrey Lake
Where does the data for Godfrey 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 Godfrey Lake.