Alexander dam
Alexander
Alexander is a gravity dam located on the Wisconsin River in Merrill, Wisconsin, with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1913, this historic structure stands at a height of 38 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 6600 acre-feet, serving as a critical water resource in the region. The dam's spillway, with a width of 338 feet, is controlled to manage water flow and prevent flooding, showcasing its importance in water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Alexander is a key player in providing clean energy and recreational opportunities in the area. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating a very high risk level, the dam's safety and structural integrity are closely monitored. Despite its age, Alexander continues to play a vital role in water resource management, highlighting the importance of maintaining and investing in our existing infrastructure to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for our water resources and climate.
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 Alexander -- 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 | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 253 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 4,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alexander .
Boat launches
- Alexander Flowage -- Access
- Purple Loosestrife -- Island In Alexander Lake 0.15mi Se Pine Grove Rd
- South Shore Drive Town Of Merrill
- Prairie River -- Launch Site
- 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
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
More reservoirs
Track Alexander 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 Alexander
Where does the data for Alexander 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 Alexander .