Sugar Camp dam
Sugar Camp
Sugar Camp is a hydroelectric dam located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, on the picturesque Sugar Camp Creek. Built in 1908, the dam serves the primary purposes of flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation. Standing at 9.5 feet tall with a length of 292 feet, Sugar Camp has a storage capacity of 24,793 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 398 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sugar Camp has a controlled spillway with a width of 8 feet and a low hazard potential. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment indicates a very high risk level, requiring careful monitoring and management measures. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2018, ensuring readiness in case of unforeseen events. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sugar Camp offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of historic infrastructure and sustainable energy production.
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 Sugar Camp -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Creek Near St. Germain | 9 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Ck-Muskellunge L Otl-Nr Eagle River | 2 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 643 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sugar Camp .
Boat launches
- Sand Lake -- Access At Cth D
- Sunny Lane 6695, Town Of Cloverland
- County Road O Town Of Newbold
- Chain Lake -- Access
- North Nokomis Lake -- Access
- Stone Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- East Star Lake Campground
- West Star Lake Campground
- Razorback Lake Campground
- Laurel Lake
- Laurel Lake Recreation Area
- Anvil Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Main Branch--Headwaters To Forest Road 2174
- North Branch--Butternut Lake To Confluence With Main Branch
- Forest Road 2174 To Private Bridge
- Private Bridge To Highway 55
- North Branch (Sections 19/30 Line) To Unnamed Creek In Sec 4, T37n, R13e
- North Branch--Origin In Sec 10, T38n, R13e To 1/4 Mile West Of Highway 55
Track Sugar Camp 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 Sugar Camp
Where does the data for Sugar Camp 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 Sugar Camp .