Sotak Flowage dam
Sotak Flowage
Sotak Flowage, also known as Pershing Wildlife Area #3, is a state-owned water resource in Taylor County, Wisconsin. This flowage is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and is situated on the TR Fisher River. Completed in 1965, the Earth dam stands at 9.3 feet high and has a hydraulic height of 7 feet, with a total length of 1180 feet. The flowage has a normal storage capacity of 200 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 320 acre-feet, covering an area of 85 acres.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Sotak Flowage is a vital resource for water enthusiasts and climate activists in the region. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 42 feet, helps manage a maximum discharge of 50 cubic feet per second. Despite its very high risk assessment rating, the flowage's emergency action plan and risk management measures are currently under review. The flowage serves as a picturesque location for outdoor activities and wildlife observation, making it a valuable asset for both recreational and environmental purposes in the area.
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 Sotak Flowage -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,280 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sotak Flowage.
Boat launches
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access G And Diamond Dr
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access Off Cth M
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Miller Dam County Park Ramp
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Usfs Campground Access Off Chippewa Rd
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access Off Perkinstown Ave
- Otter Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake End Of Road Off 170th Ave
Campgrounds
- Chippewa Campground Loop
- Chippewa Recreation Area
- Otter Lake Campground
- Kathryn Lake
- Brunet Island State Park Campground
- Big Falls County Campground
Track Sotak Flowage 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 Sotak Flowage
Where does the data for Sotak Flowage 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 Sotak Flowage.