Skinaway Lake dam
Skinaway Lake
Skinaway Lake, located in Polk, Wisconsin, is a picturesque man-made reservoir that serves as a popular recreation spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Managed by the local government and designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam structure was completed in 1967 and has a primary purpose of recreation. With a dam height of 12 feet and a storage capacity of 690 acre-feet, the lake covers an area of 83 acres and is fed by the TR-North Branch Beaver Brook.
Despite its age, Skinaway Lake has been well-maintained, with a low hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of May 2020. The dam is equipped with a controlled spillway and has a maximum discharge capacity of 70 cubic feet per second. The lake's risk assessment is very high, indicating the importance of ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure the safety and longevity of this valuable water resource.
Overall, Skinaway Lake offers a serene and recreational escape in the heart of Wisconsin, attracting outdoor enthusiasts with its tranquil waters and natural surroundings. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, this lake continues to be a cherished destination for those seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while also serving as a vital water resource for the local community.
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 Skinaway 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 | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skinaway Lake.
Boat launches
- Horseshoe Lake -- Access Off Cth T
- Echo Lake -- Access At 3/4 Street
- Upper Turtle Lake -- Access Off Hwy 8
- Loon Lake -- Access
- Lower Turtle Lake - Access Off 12 1/2 Ave
- Lower Turtle Lake - Access Of 3 3/4 4th Street
Track Skinaway 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 Skinaway Lake
Where does the data for Skinaway 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 Skinaway Lake.