Lewis dam
Lewis
Located in Jackson, Wisconsin, the Lewis dam is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, and recreation. Completed in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 570 feet, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Situated on TR French Creek, the dam serves as a critical water resource in the area.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the Lewis dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has a controlled spillway and last underwent inspection in October 2018. As a vital component of the local water management infrastructure, the Lewis dam plays a significant role in maintaining water resources and protecting against potential flooding events in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the characteristics and maintenance of structures like the Lewis dam is crucial for ensuring the sustainable management of our natural resources. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, the Lewis dam exemplifies the importance of proactive monitoring and risk management in safeguarding water sources and enhancing community resilience to environmental challenges.
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 Lewis -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 196 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 209 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lewis.
Boat launches
- Mark Holmgren Memorial Landing -- Access
- Lake Henry -- Public Boat Landing
- Lake Arbutus -- Access Nr Robin Ln
- Black River -- North Bend Access
- Arnold Creek -- North Arnold Creek Access
- Lake Arbutus -- Access Nr Osprey Ln
Campgrounds
- Hixton Village Campground
- Castle Mound - Black River State Forest
- Riverside Memorial Park
- Gile Memorial Village
- West Arbutus County Park
- Russell Memorial Park
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Lewis 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 Lewis
Where does the data for Lewis 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 Lewis.