Cedar Falls dam
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, is a hydroelectric dam on the Red Cedar River that has been providing renewable energy since its completion in 1910. With a dam height of 63 feet and a storage capacity of 23,000 acre-feet, Cedar Falls plays a crucial role in both energy generation and recreation in the area. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric, but it also offers opportunities for recreational activities given its scenic location.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Cedar Falls has a spillway width of 300 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 52,750 cubic feet per second. While the dam has a high hazard potential due to its structural design and height, it is regularly inspected to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but emergency action plans and risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential risks.
Overall, Cedar Falls stands as a historic and vital structure in the region, contributing to both energy production and water resource management. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, the insights provided by this data showcase the importance of sustainable infrastructure like Cedar Falls in harnessing the power of water resources for the benefit of local communities and the environment.
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 Cedar Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 323 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 841 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cedar Falls .
Boat launches
- Red Cedar River -- Access At 550th St And 690th Ave Town Of Red Cedar
- Tainter Lake -- Access At Kliest Landing
- Lake Menomin -- Wakanda Park Boat Landing
- Lake Menomin -- Point Comfort Landing
- Lake Menomin -- Access - Off Hwy 12
- Tainter Lake -- Northwest Boat Landing
Track Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Where does the data for Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls .