Spirit dam
Spirit
Spirit is a historic hydroelectric dam located in Lincoln, Wisconsin, along the Spirit River. Built in 1922, this gravity dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a length of 2530 feet. With a storage capacity of 15,427 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 16,700 cubic feet per second, Spirit serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Spirit has a controlled spillway and two Tainter radial gates for outlet control. Despite its age, the dam is categorized as having a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment. While regular inspections are conducted, the condition assessment is currently not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of this critical water resource infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spirit represents a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and environmental management. As a key player in the region's water management system, Spirit serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between harnessing water for energy production and mitigating the risks associated with dam infrastructure. With its high hazard potential and risk assessment, Spirit underscores the importance of proactive risk management strategies to safeguard both the environment and surrounding communities in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Spirit -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 967 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 253 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spirit .
Boat launches
- Mohawksin Lake -- Access At Near Dean Rd
- Bradley Park Road Tomahawk
- Tomahawk
- Town Of Bradley
- State Highway 86 Tomahawk
- Jersey City Flowage -- Access
Campgrounds
- Sara Park
- Otter Lake
- Otter Lake County Park Campground
- Camp New Wood County Park
- Camp New Wood County Park Campground
- Underdown County Park Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- North Branch (Sections 19/30 Line) To Unnamed Creek In Sec 4, T37n, R13e
More reservoirs
Track Spirit 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 Spirit
Where does the data for Spirit 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 Spirit .