French Creek Wildlife Refuge dam
French Creek Wildlife Refuge
French Creek Wildlife Refuge in Columbia, Wisconsin, is a state-owned conservation area that serves as a recreational hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The refuge is situated along the picturesque French Creek and features an earth dam that was completed in 1962. With a dam height of 10 feet and a length of 420 feet, the refuge offers a serene setting for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and fishing.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, French Creek Wildlife Refuge boasts a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, making it a safe and enjoyable destination for visitors. The refuge's primary purpose is recreation, with a focus on preserving the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Additionally, the controlled spillway design and regular inspections ensure the safety and integrity of the dam, providing peace of mind for those who visit the refuge.
With its very high risk assessment rating and state-regulated status, French Creek Wildlife Refuge is a well-maintained and protected sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors. Whether you're a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, this refuge offers a serene and tranquil experience in the heart of Wisconsin's stunning countryside. Come explore the beauty and biodiversity of French Creek Wildlife Refuge and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.
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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo | 385 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River Near Wisconsin Dells | 9,040 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Princeton | 1,120 cfs | → |
| White Creek @ Spring Grove Road Nr Green Lake | 6 cfs | → |
| Green Lake Inlet At Ct Highwy A Near Green Lake | 67 cfs | → |
| Puchyan River Ds N. Lawson Drive Nr Green Lake | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near French Creek Wildlife Refuge.
Boat launches
- Fox River Road Town Of Buffalo
- Silver Lake -- Access At City Park - Se Corner Of Lake Off Silver Lake Dr
- Big Slough Road Town Of Lewiston
- Swan Lake -- Public Boat Access
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Portage Off Summit St
- Wisconsin River -- Hwy 33 Carry-In Access
Campgrounds
- Veterans Memorial Field - Portage
- Indian Trails Campground
- Crooked River Campground
- Shiloh
- Gettysburg
- Concord And Lexington
Track French Creek Wildlife Refuge 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge
Where does the data for French Creek Wildlife Refuge 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge.