Dells dam
Dells
Dells, located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam on the Chippewa River with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and recreation. Completed in 1907, this multi-arch dam stands at 51 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 43.1 feet and a structural height of 51 feet. With a dam length of 619 feet and a storage capacity of 12,100 acre-feet, Dells plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing renewable energy to the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Dells has a controlled spillway width of 396 feet and can discharge up to 170,000 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the risk assessment for Dells indicates a very high risk level (1). The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in December 2019, and regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safe operation. Dells serves as a key asset in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region, showcasing the importance of sustainable hydroelectric infrastructure for both energy production and environmental conservation.
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 Dells -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 841 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 323 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dells .
Boat launches
- Dells Pond -- Access
- Halfmoon Lake -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Hobbs Landing
- Chippewa River -- Dells Pond
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Indian Hills Dr
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Kewin St
Campgrounds
- Fair Hill Campgounds
- Fair Hill County Campground
- Hoffman's Hills
- Lake Wissota State Park
- Lake Wissota State Park Campground
- Harstad Park
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Dells 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 Dells
Where does the data for Dells 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 Dells .