White River dam
White River
White River, located in Ashland, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam with a height of 30 feet and a length of 800 feet. Completed in 1907, this hydroelectric structure serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a storage capacity of 670 acre-feet and a drainage area of 301 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Owned by a public utility and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, White River Dam has a low hazard potential and is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 50 feet and two Tainter (radial) outlet gates. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is rated as very high (1), highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to protect both the structure and the surrounding environment.
With its picturesque location and significant contribution to the local water infrastructure, White River Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, the White River Dam serves as a compelling example of the vital role that hydroelectric structures play in balancing the needs of communities, ecosystems, and energy production in a changing climate landscape.
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 White River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near Ashland | 198 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 17 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 156 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White River .
Boat launches
- White River Flowage -- Access - Sth 112
- Us 2;Wi 13 30962, Town Of Eileen
- Lake Superior - Access - Off Us Hwy 2 Ashland
- Prentice Avenue North 399, Ashland
- North 29th Avenue East 198, Ashland
- Bono Creek Road 73398, Town Of Barksdale
Campgrounds
- Prentice Park Campground
- Prentice City Park
- Kreher City Park
- West End Thompson City Park
- Thompson's West End Park Campground
- Memorial Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track White River 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 White River
Where does the data for White River 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 White River .