Central dam
Central
Central Dam, also known as Janesville Dam, is a hydroelectric structure located on the Rock River in Wisconsin. Built in 1927, this Timber Crib dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 325 feet in length, providing critical water storage of 3,675 acre-feet and a surface area of 548 acres. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, with additional benefits for recreation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Central Dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 243 feet and is equipped with four slide (sluice) gates for water flow regulation. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is rated as having a very high risk due to its age and condition assessment not being available. Emergency action plans have been prepared and updated periodically to ensure public safety and risk management measures are in place.
With its historical significance and vital role in water resource management and energy production, Central Dam serves as a notable structure in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find interest in the dam's features, operational details, and the ongoing efforts to address potential risks associated with its continued use.
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 Central -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Afton | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Turtle Creek At Carvers Rock Road Near Clinton | 194 cfs | → |
| Yahara River Near Fulton | 285 cfs | → |
| Badfish Creek Near Cooksville | 108 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Rockton | 5,610 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Central .
Boat launches
- Rock River Beach - Lagoon At Janesville Traxler Park
- Rock River -- Access At Along S River St Janesville
- Lions Park Pond -- Boat Launch
- Rock River -- Parkway
- Kiwanis Pond -- Boat Launch
- Rock River -- Riverside Park Access
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Central 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 Central
Where does the data for Central 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 Central .