Port Wing dam
Port Wing
Port Wing, located in Bayfield, Wisconsin, is home to a historic hydroelectric dam on the Iron River. Built in 1920, this gravity dam stands at 66 feet high and 200 feet long, providing hydroelectric power and recreational opportunities in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 1634 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 9550 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the community.
Despite its age, the Port Wing dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition. However, the risk assessment indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of proper risk management measures. The dam has not been inspected recently, with an inspection frequency of 10 years, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Port Wing dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic structure facing the challenges of modern water management. With its rich history, hydroelectric capabilities, and recreational value, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water resources, infrastructure resilience, and climate adaptation in a changing world.
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 Port Wing -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 156 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 55 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 15 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 262 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 184 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Port Wing.
Boat launches
- Iron River -- Access At Just S Of Lake Superior Off River Loop Rd
- Lake Superior -- Port Wing
- Bois Brule River -- Mouth Access
- Fire Lake -- Access At Off Fire Lake Rd.
- Lake Superior -- Herbster Landing
- Long Lake -- Access Off Island Blvd
Campgrounds
- Bark 'N' Beavers
- Brule River State Forest (Hike-In)
- Copper Range - Brule River State Forest
- Herbster Campground
- Town Of Clover
- Moon Lake City Park
Fishing spots
Track Port Wing 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 Port Wing
Where does the data for Port Wing 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 Port Wing.