Wissota North Saddle Dike dam
Wissota North Saddle Dike
Wissota North Saddle Dike is a crucial infrastructure located in Chippewa, Wisconsin, along the scenic Chippewa River. Built in 1917, this earth dam stands at an impressive height of 79 feet and serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. With a storage capacity of 56,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 6,212 acres, this dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Wissota North Saddle Dike is a key component of the hydroelectric system in the area. Despite its age, the dam has a high hazard potential and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor activities and serves as a popular spot for visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Chippewa River.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the importance of structures like Wissota North Saddle Dike becomes increasingly evident. With its ability to mitigate flood risks, generate clean energy, and provide recreational opportunities, this dam remains a critical asset in the region's water management efforts. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wissota North Saddle Dike stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in safeguarding our precious waterways.
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 Wissota North Saddle Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 897 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 376 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wissota North Saddle Dike .
Boat launches
- Lake Wissota -- Access - Near County Highway X
- Lake Wissota -- Access - Chippewa Rod And Gun Club
- Chippewa River -- Access Off River Rd
- Lake Wissota / Yellow River -- Access At Lake Wissota State Park
- Little Lake Wissota -- Access
- Yellow River -- Access
Track Wissota North Saddle Dike 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 Wissota North Saddle Dike
Where does the data for Wissota North Saddle Dike 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 High 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 Wissota North Saddle Dike .