Caldron Falls dam
Caldron Falls
Caldron Falls is a gravity dam located on the Peshtigo River in Marinette, Wisconsin. Built in 1924, this hydroelectric facility serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, recreation, and supporting fish and wildlife habitats. With a maximum storage capacity of 11,500 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 11,475 acre-feet, Caldron Falls covers a surface area of 1,018 acres and has a drainage area of 496 square miles.
The dam stands at 39 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 81 feet, and a structural height of 42 feet. It has a length of 1,250 feet and a controlled spillway width of 205 feet. The facility is owned and operated by a public utility, and its regulatory oversight falls under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Despite its high hazard potential, Caldron Falls has not undergone a recent condition assessment, and its emergency action plan status is unknown.
The surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife observation, making Caldron Falls a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its strategic location on the Peshtigo River contributes to flood control efforts and supports the region's energy needs through hydroelectric power generation. With its rich history and vital role in the local ecosystem, Caldron Falls remains a significant landmark in Wisconsin's water resource management landscape.
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 Caldron Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peshtigo River Near Wabeno | 409 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 253 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 3,840 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Porterfield | 931 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 4,070 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 3,570 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Caldron Falls .
Boat launches
- Caldron Falls Reservoir -- Caldron Bay - #8
- Caldron Falls Reservoir -- Muskie Point - #9
- Caldron Falls Reservoir -- South Bay - #13
- Caldron Falls Reservoir -- North Bay - #10
- High Falls Reservoir -- Landing No. 6 - Peshtigo Riv Sf
- High Falls Reservoir -- Landing No. 7 Peshtigo Riv Sf
Campgrounds
- Governor Thompson State Park Campground
- Old Veterans State Camp Ground
- Old Veterans Lake County Park
- Twin Bridge County Park
- Veterans Memorial Park - Crivitz
- Mcclintock County Park
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 Caldron Falls 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 Caldron Falls
Where does the data for Caldron Falls 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 Caldron Falls .