Neenah dam
Neenah
Neenah, a privately owned dam located in Winnebago, Wisconsin, plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction along the Fox River. Built in 1881, this gravity dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 650 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1,100,000 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 700,000 acre-feet and a drainage area of 6,124 square miles, Neenah is essential in managing water levels and mitigating potential flooding in the region.
Despite its age, Neenah remains in satisfactory condition and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, it is vital that the dam continues to be properly maintained and managed. The dam's controlled spillway, with a maximum discharge capacity of 24,000 cubic feet per second, further enhances its flood risk reduction capabilities, safeguarding the surrounding communities and infrastructure from potential water-related disasters.
Neenah not only serves as a critical infrastructure for flood control but also offers recreational opportunities for the local community. As one of the key structures managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), Neenah stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in safeguarding our water resources for future generations.
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 Neenah -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Appleton | 8,860 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oshkosh | 12,600 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 3,110 cfs | → |
| East River At Ct Highway Zz Near Greenleaf | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf River At Royalton | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Waupaca River Near Waupaca | 431 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Neenah.
Boat launches
- Lake Winnebago -- Neenah - Doty Park Access
- Lake Winnebago -- Neenah - South Park Ave. Rec Park
- Lake Winnebago -- Smith Park Boat Ramp (Menasha Channel)
- Little Lake Butte Des Morts -- Menasha - Fritze Park Access
- Lake Butte Des Morts -- Ninth Street Boat Launch
- Firelane 8 Village Of Harrison
Track Neenah 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 Neenah
Where does the data for Neenah 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 High 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 Neenah.