Upper Flowage dam
Upper Flowage
Upper Flowage, located in Washburn, Wisconsin, is a privately owned dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1915, this gravity dam stands at 12 feet high and spans 100 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. The dam impounds the Crystal Brook, providing a surface area of 13 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various water activities.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Upper Flowage has a very high risk assessment rating, indicating the importance of proactive risk management measures. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) and undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in April 2011. While the condition assessment is currently noted as "Not Rated," the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in January 2013 to ensure preparedness for any unforeseen events.
With its tranquil setting and recreational opportunities, Upper Flowage serves as a valuable resource for both locals and visitors alike. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure the safety and sustainability of our environment. The collaboration between private ownership, state regulation, and community involvement is crucial in safeguarding the integrity of this dam and preserving the natural beauty of Upper Flowage for future generations to appreciate.
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 Upper Flowage -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 154 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 600 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 167 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Flowage.
Boat launches
- Spooner Lake -- East Landing - Nr Mann Rd
- Deep Lake -- Access
- Dilly Lake -- Ramp
- Spooner Lake -- West Landing - Nr Cth H
- Potato Lake -- Access
- Little Devils Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Madge Roadside Rest Stop
- Earl Park
- Earl
- Earl Landing - St. Croix National Scenic River
- Trego Park
- Trego Lake County Park
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
More reservoirs
Track Upper 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 Upper Flowage
Where does the data for Upper 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 Upper Flowage.