Merrill dam
Merrill
Located in Lincoln, Wisconsin, the Merrill Hydroelectric Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence, with a design by L A De Guere and completion in 1913. This gravity dam on the Wisconsin River serves a dual purpose of hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a height of 23 feet and a spillway width of 400 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 605 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 29,500 cubic feet per second, making it a significant contributor to the region's water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Merrill Dam is a vital piece of infrastructure that ensures the safety and efficiency of water flow in the area. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections to maintain its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. With a risk assessment rating of very high, the dam's risk management measures are continuously evaluated to mitigate any potential threats and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Merrill Hydroelectric Dam serves as a fascinating example of sustainable energy production and water management. Its strategic location in Merrill, Wisconsin, provides not only electricity but also recreational opportunities, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of human development and environmental conservation. As a historic landmark with a rich legacy, the Merrill Dam continues to play a crucial role in shaping the region's water infrastructure and resilience to climate challenges.
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 Merrill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 253 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 4,880 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merrill .
Boat launches
- South Shore Drive Town Of Merrill
- Alexander Flowage -- Access
- Prairie River -- Launch Site
- Purple Loosestrife -- Island In Alexander Lake 0.15mi Se Pine Grove Rd
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wausau Off 6th
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wausau Nr E Randolph St
Campgrounds
- Council Grounds State Park
- Camp New Wood County Park Campground
- Camp New Wood County Park
- Underdown County Park Campground
- Marathon Park
- Rib Mountain State Park
Paddle runs
- North Branch (Sections 19/30 Line) To Unnamed Creek In Sec 4, T37n, R13e
- Unnamed Creek To Forest Boundary In Sec 14, T37n, R13e
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
More reservoirs
Track Merrill 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 Merrill
Where does the data for Merrill 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 Merrill .