Mud Creek dam
Mud Creek
Mud Creek in Florence, Wisconsin, is a privately-owned dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at 11.4 feet high with a hydraulic height of 8.8 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. The dam spans 288 feet in length and covers a surface area of 76 acres, serving the community as a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Despite its low hazard potential, Mud Creek dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition. The last inspection in June 2020 revealed the need for maintenance and improvements. With a very high risk rating of 1, the dam's risk assessment highlights the urgency for risk management measures to be implemented. The state-regulated dam is subject to inspection, enforcement, and permitting by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mud Creek presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of recreational infrastructure and environmental stewardship. As efforts are made to address the dam's deteriorating condition and mitigate potential risks, there is a chance to enhance the resilience of this vital water resource in the face of changing climate conditions. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, stakeholders can work towards preserving Mud Creek as a valuable asset for both recreation and ecological conservation.
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 Mud Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Popple River Near Fence | 104 cfs | → |
| Pine River Below Pine R Powerplant Nr Florence | 477 cfs | → |
| Brule River At Us Highway 2 Near Florence | 403 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 818 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mud Creek.
Boat launches
- Hilbert Lake -- Access
- Lund Lake -- Access
- Laura Lake -- Access
- Lake Hilbert -- Access - E Side Of Lake
- Gordon Lake -- Access At Se Part Of Lake Nr Laura Lake Road 121
- Morgan Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Laura-Gordon Lakes Campground
- Laura And Gordon Lake Recreation Area
- Laura Lake
- Morgan Lake
- Morgan Lake Recreation Area
- Lost Lake Cabins
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- South Branch--Origin In Sec 25, T38n, R14e To Confluence With Main Branch
- Main Branch-Forest Boundary In Sec 18, T37n, R15e To Railroad Bridge
- Forest Road 2156 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 2167 To Highway 139
- Highway 139 To Forest Road 2398
More reservoirs
Track Mud 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 Mud Creek
Where does the data for Mud 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 Mud Creek.