Buckatahpon dam
Buckatahpon
Buckatahpon is a historic gravity dam located in Eagle River, Wisconsin, along the Buchataphon Creek. Built in 1908 for hydroelectric purposes, this dam stands at a height of 7.5 feet and has a length of 195 feet, providing storage of up to 13,705 acre-feet. Despite its age, Buckatahpon is classified as having low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment score of 1, indicating the importance of closely monitoring and maintaining this structure.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Buckatahpon is also used for flood risk reduction in addition to hydroelectric power generation. With a controlled spillway type and a single Tainter (radial) outlet gate, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the area. While its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," regular inspections are conducted every 3 years to ensure its safety and stability.
Located within the Detroit District and under the jurisdiction of the state of Wisconsin, Buckatahpon serves as a key infrastructure for water resource and climate management in the region. As an essential component of the local water system, it is vital to continue monitoring and maintaining this dam to mitigate potential risks and ensure its continued functionality for the community.
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 Buckatahpon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Ck-Muskellunge L Otl-Nr Eagle River | 2 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Creek Near St. Germain | 9 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buckatahpon .
Boat launches
- Hunter Lake - Access Off Hunter Landing Road
- Upper Buckatabon Lake -- Access
- Stormy Lake -- Access
- Baker Lake -- Access Off Baker Lake Rd
- Boot Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake Off Beaver Tr.
- Pickerel Lake -- Ramp
Campgrounds
- East Star Lake Campground
- West Star Lake Campground
- Razorback Lake Campground
- Lac Vieux Desert
- Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area
- Eagle-A
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- North Branch--Butternut Lake To Confluence With Main Branch
- Main Branch--Headwaters To Forest Road 2174
- Forest Road 2174 To Private Bridge
- Private Bridge To Highway 55
- North Branch--Origin In Sec 10, T38n, R13e To 1/4 Mile West Of Highway 55
- 1/4 Mile West Of Highway 55 To Confluence With Main Branch
Track Buckatahpon 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 Buckatahpon
Where does the data for Buckatahpon 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 Buckatahpon .