Ladysmith dam
Ladysmith
Located in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, the Ladysmith Hydroelectric Dam is a historic structure completed in 1908 with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. This gravity dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 570 feet along the Flambeau River. With a storage capacity of 3,350 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 2,200 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Ladysmith Dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 173 feet and ten Tainter radial gates for water release. The dam is deemed to have low hazard potential and has a very high risk assessment rating. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes inspections every three years to ensure its safety and functionality. With its rich history and important role in hydroelectric power generation, Ladysmith Dam is a significant landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and study.
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 Ladysmith -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 674 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 602 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 855 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ladysmith .
Boat launches
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Access Off Community Park Rd
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Boat Ramp Off Dairyland Dam Rd
- Dairyland Flowage -- Access Off Point Rd
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Access - Josie Creek Rd
- Flambeau River -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Access Nr Trails End St Town Of Atlanta
Campgrounds
- Josie Creek County Park
- Bruce Village Park
- Swan Creek Park
- Hawkins Lions Club Park
- Hawkins Community Park
- Audie Lake County Park
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
More reservoirs
Track Ladysmith 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 Ladysmith
Where does the data for Ladysmith 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 Ladysmith .