Saint Croix dam
Saint Croix
Saint Croix, located in Riverside, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1854, this structure stands at 15 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 15 feet. It has a length of 2940 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 18,000 acre-feet. The dam sits on the Saint Croix River and has a drainage area of 282 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 8175 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Saint Croix poses a very high risk due to its age and the potential consequences in the event of a failure. The dam underwent modifications in 1936 and is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR). The last inspection was conducted in September 2013, with a recommended inspection frequency of 10 years. Emergency action plans are in place, but there is room for improvement in terms of risk management measures and adherence to guidelines.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Saint Croix's historical significance, structural characteristics, and risk profile. The dam's location, design, and management provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining aging infrastructure in the face of evolving climate conditions. As a key recreational asset in the area, Saint Croix serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in Wisconsin.
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 Saint Croix -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 167 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 508 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 154 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,770 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saint Croix.
Boat launches
- Saint Croix Flowage -- Gordon Dam Access - Nr Cty Y
- Saint Croix Flowage -- Access At Gordon - Off Flowage Ln
- Whitefish Lake -- Access At Sw Corner Of Lake
- Crystal Lake -- Access At Ne Side Of Lake Off Crystal Lake Rd
- Cranberry Lake -- Access
- Leader Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Gordon Dam
- Gordon Dam Park Landing
- Gordan Dam
- Gordon Flowage
- Totagatic County Park Campground
- Totogatic Park
Track Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix
Where does the data for Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix.