Lower Steve Creek dam
Lower Steve Creek
Lower Steve Creek is a state-regulated dam located in Price, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 4 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Steve Creek and has a drainage area of 35 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 90 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Lower Steve Creek's condition assessment is rated as fair, with the last inspection conducted in May 2020. The risk assessment for this dam is very high, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With its controlled spillway and recreational focus, Lower Steve Creek offers both opportunities for enjoyment and a reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions. Passionate water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Lower Steve Creek an intriguing case study in balancing recreation with safety and environmental concerns.
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 Lower Steve Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Steve Creek.
Boat launches
- Upper Steve Creek -- Flowage Ramp
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access Off Park Rd.
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Ramp
- Mondeaux Flowage -- Access - Campers Dr.
- North Twin Lake -- Access At Se Side Lake Nr Twin Lake Rd
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access Off Cth M
Campgrounds
- Big Falls County Campground
- Eastwood Recreation Area Campground
- Eastwood Campground
- Hawkins Community Park
- Hawkins Lions Club Park
- Spearhead Point Campground
Track Lower Steve 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 Lower Steve Creek
Where does the data for Lower Steve 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 Lower Steve Creek.