Nelson dam
Nelson
Nelson is a federal-owned dam located in Taylor County, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1968, this earth dam stands at 12 feet high and has a length of 690 feet. It serves as a barrier on the South Twin Lake Outlet, providing a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a surface area of 25 acres.
Although Nelson has a low hazard potential, it is categorized with a very high risk assessment due to its critical importance in flood control and water management in the region. The dam has not been inspected recently, but it is marked as not rated in terms of condition assessment. With a controlled spillway type and an overall risk management plan in place, Nelson plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources and climate resilience in the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Nelson to be a key structure in the Detroit District's water management system. Its location, design, and purpose make it a significant asset for recreation and flood control in the region. While its risk assessment is high, the dam's operational history and risk management measures demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of the surrounding environment.
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 Nelson -- 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 | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 170 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nelson.
Boat launches
- North Twin Lake -- Access At Se Side Lake Nr Twin Lake Rd
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access - Campers Dr.
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Ramp
- Sackett Lake Recreation Area Landing
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access Off Park Rd.
- Hulls Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Picnic Point Recreation Area Campground
- Picnic Point Campground
- West Point Campground
- West Point Recreation Area
- Spearhead Point Campground
- Eastwood Campground
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
More reservoirs
Track Nelson 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 Nelson
Where does the data for Nelson 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 Nelson.