Lower Hydro dam
Lower Hydro
Lower Hydro, also known as Park Falls Lower Hydro Electric, is a private hydroelectric facility located in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Built in 1923, this gravity dam stands at 22 feet tall and stretches 340 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 570 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 16,200 cubic feet per second. Situated on the North Fork Flambeau River in Price County, this dam serves the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Lower Hydro has a controlled spillway with a width of 102 feet and is classified as having low hazard potential. The dam features Tainter radial gates for water release and has a surface area of 71 acres, serving a drainage area of 762 square miles. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is rated as very high, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
With its historic significance and vital role in renewable energy production, Lower Hydro stands as a testament to the enduring value of hydroelectric power in Wisconsin's water resource management. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is crucial to recognize and support the maintenance and continued operation of facilities like Lower Hydro to harness the sustainable benefits of hydropower while safeguarding the surrounding environment and communities from potential risks and hazards.
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 Lower Hydro -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 99 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| North Creek @ Trout Lake Nr Boulder Junction | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Hydro .
Boat launches
- Flambeau River -- Park Falls Boat Ramp
- Upper Park Falls Flowage - Hines Park Boat Landing
- Flambeau River -- Park Falls Boat Launch
- Omaha Road Town Of Lake
- Butternut Lake -- Carry-In
- Butternut Lake -- Grants Landing
Campgrounds
- Hines City Park
- Hines Park & Campground
- Smith Lake County Park
- Smith Lake County Park & Campground
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Sailor Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Headwaters To Footbridge
More reservoirs
Track Lower Hydro 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 Lower Hydro
Where does the data for Lower Hydro 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 Lower Hydro .