Washington Creek Wildlife Are dam
Washington Creek Wildlife Are
Washington Creek Wildlife Area in Rusk, Wisconsin is a state-owned recreational site that boasts the picturesque Washington Creek running through it. The area is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and features a gravity dam completed in 1950, standing at a height of 9.9 feet and holding a maximum storage capacity of 1430 acre-feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and has a low hazard potential, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of October 2013.
The dam at Washington Creek Wildlife Area has seen modifications in 1969 and 2011, ensuring its continued functionality and safety. The area offers a surface area of 155 acres for visitors to enjoy, with a drainage area of 4.74 square miles. With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge of 168 cubic feet per second, the dam provides both recreational opportunities and essential water resource management for the region. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as very high, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and management measures.
Despite the potential risks associated with high water levels, the Washington Creek Wildlife Area dam remains a valuable resource for both wildlife and climate enthusiasts. With its serene surroundings and vital role in water management, this site serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing natural resources for recreation and safeguarding against potential hazards. As visitors explore the area, they can appreciate the beauty of Washington Creek while recognizing the importance of responsible stewardship to ensure its continued preservation 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 Washington Creek Wildlife Are -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 897 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washington Creek Wildlife Are.
Boat launches
- County Hwy E Boat Ramp
- Boot Lake -- Access
- Round Lake -- Access At N Side Of Lake Off Round Lake Rd
- Fireside Lakes -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Access At Fletcher Road Town Of Thornapple
Campgrounds
- Bruce Village Park
- Morris-Erickson Campground
- Brunet Island State Park Campground
- Audie Lake County Park
- Josie Creek County Park
- Southworth County Park
Track Washington Creek Wildlife Are 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 Washington Creek Wildlife Are
Where does the data for Washington Creek Wildlife Are 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 Washington Creek Wildlife Are.