Pawlisch dam
Pawlisch
Pawlisch is a private earth dam located in Juneau, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. Built in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 22.4 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and undergoes regular inspections, with its condition assessed as satisfactory as of March 2021. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Situated on the TR West Branch Big Creek, Pawlisch spans a length of 480 feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres, serving not only for flood risk reduction but also for fire protection purposes. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 70 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area falls within the jurisdiction of the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the dam is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With a history of regular inspections and a low hazard potential, Pawlisch remains a crucial structure for water resource management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pawlisch represents a significant infrastructure for maintaining water levels, controlling floods, and providing essential services like fire protection and stock management. Its location within the Juneau County landscape showcases the importance of private dams in rural areas and their role in supporting local ecosystems. With its moderate risk assessment and satisfactory condition, Pawlisch stands as a testament to effective dam management practices and the collaboration between private owners and state regulatory agencies in ensuring the safety and functionality of water structures.
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 Pawlisch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonweir River At New Lisbon | 326 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 9,040 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 253 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs | → |
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo | 385 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pawlisch.
Boat launches
- Lake Redstone -- Access At End Of Section 11 Rd
- Baraboo River -- Access Near Lake Redstone
- Hemlock Slough -- Access
- Dutch Hollow Lake -- Access Off Dutch Hollow Road
- Beach Street 199, Mauston
- Dutch Hollow Lake -- Access Nr Auble Landing Rd
Campgrounds
- Wonewoc Legion Park
- Legion Park Camp Sites
- Baker's Field
- Schultz City Park
- Elroy Campground
- Riverside Park - New Lisbon
Track Pawlisch 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 Pawlisch
Where does the data for Pawlisch 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 Pawlisch.