Potato Rapids dam
Potato Rapids
Potato Rapids, located in Marinette, Wisconsin, along the Peshtigo River, is a gravity dam completed in 1920 primarily for hydroelectric purposes. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 1220 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 2800 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 21000 cubic feet per second. The controlled spillway, with a width of 158 feet, helps regulate water flow, ensuring efficient operation of the hydroelectric facility.
Managed by a public utility, Potato Rapids boasts a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating of 1. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permitting, inspections, and enforcement. The facility also offers recreational opportunities in addition to its hydroelectric function, adding to its value as a water resource in the region.
Overall, Potato Rapids serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and renewable energy production in Wisconsin. With its historic significance and strategic location on the Peshtigo River, the dam plays a crucial role in the local community's water supply, recreation, and climate resilience efforts.
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 Potato Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peshtigo River At Porterfield | 931 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Peshtigo | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 3,740 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 4,070 cfs | → |
| Oconto River Near Oconto | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 3,840 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potato Rapids .
Boat launches
- Peshtigo Flowage -- Landing #1 - State Forest
- Potato Rapids / Bagley Flowage -- Access At Peshtigo River Sf
- Peshtigo Flowage / River -- Access At Front St Peshtigo
- Menominee River -- Access At Cth G
- Peshtigo River -- Access Off Cth B And Rainbow Dr Peshtigo
- Menominee River - Upper Scott Flowage -- Access At Sth 180
Campgrounds
- Green's Green Acres Campground
- Holtwood
- Evergreen City Park
- Veterans Memorial Park - Crivitz
- North Camp Area @ Potawatomi State Park
- Potawatomi State Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
- Main Branch-Forest Boundary In Sec 18, T37n, R15e To Railroad Bridge
Track Potato Rapids 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 Potato Rapids
Where does the data for Potato Rapids 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 Potato Rapids .