Flambeau dam
Flambeau
Flambeau, also known as Dairyland Reservoir, is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Built in 1951 by Fargo Engineering, this gravity dam stands at a towering height of 92 feet and stretches for 4980 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 47,167 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 43,500 acre-feet, Flambeau serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, fire protection, and recreation, in addition to generating hydroelectric power.
The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 120 feet, ensures efficient water management during high flow events, while three Tainter (radial) gates control water release. Flambeau Dam is a key feature on the Flambeau River, with a drainage area of 1910 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 81,000 cubic feet per second. Despite its impressive engineering and functionality, the dam poses a high hazard potential, with a very high risk rating according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Maintained by the FERC, Flambeau Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and risk management measures are in place. With its scenic location and significant contributions to water resource management and energy production, Flambeau Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the power of nature for multiple beneficial purposes.
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 Flambeau -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Jump River At Sheldon | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 598 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 897 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Flambeau .
Boat launches
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Boat Ramp Off Dairyland Dam Rd
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Access Off Community Park Rd
- Dairyland Flowage -- Access Off Point Rd
- Dairyland Reservoir -- Access - Josie Creek Rd
- Lea Lake -- Access
- Flambeau River -- Access
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
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Flambeau 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 Flambeau
Where does the data for Flambeau 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 Flambeau .