Cranberry Creek dam
Cranberry Creek
Cranberry Creek, located in Price County, Wisconsin, is a serene water resource that serves as a popular spot for recreational activities. The dam on Cranberry Creek, completed in 1973, stands at a height of 15.2 feet and has a hydraulic height of 7.5 feet. With a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a surface area of 55 acres, the dam helps regulate water flow in the area and provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor pursuits.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Cranberry Creek Dam is classified as a low hazard structure with a fair condition assessment. The dam has a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge capacity of 465 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety of the surrounding community in case of emergencies. Despite the relatively low hazard potential, the risk assessment for Cranberry Creek Dam indicates a very high risk level, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential issues.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cranberry Creek offers a fascinating case study in dam management and recreational use. With its picturesque location and crucial role in water regulation, the dam serves as a valuable resource for the local community while also presenting challenges in risk management and infrastructure upkeep. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding and safeguarding structures like Cranberry Creek Dam become increasingly important to ensure the sustainability and resilience of our natural environments.
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 Cranberry Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cranberry Creek.
Boat launches
- The Loop Town Of Harmony
- Cranberry Lake -- Access
- Wilson Lake -- Landing
- Worchester Lake -- Landing
- Wilson Flowage -- Access
- Elk Lake/Duroy Lake -- Lionite Park Access
Campgrounds
- Solberg Lake County Park Campground
- Pioneer Park And Campground
- Pioneer Park & Campground
- Hawkins Community Park
- Hawkins Lions Club Park
- Big Falls County Campground
Track Cranberry Creek 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 Cranberry Creek
Where does the data for Cranberry Creek 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 Cranberry Creek.