Otter Rapids dam
Otter Rapids
Otter Rapids is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Vilas, Wisconsin, along the Wisconsin River. Built in 1907, this gravity dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 474 feet. With a storage capacity of 42,280 acre-feet, it serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The dam's controlled spillway and slide gates ensure efficient water management and safety during high discharge events.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Otter Rapids has a high hazard potential due to its location and structural characteristics. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition with regular inspections conducted to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The surrounding area offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of sustainable energy production and natural beauty in Wisconsin.
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 Otter Rapids -- 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 | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 657 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter Rapids .
Boat launches
- Mud Creek - Watersmeet Lake -- Access
- Sunny Lane 6695, Town Of Cloverland
- County Road G Eagle River
- Silver Lake -- Access In Eagle River On 7th Street
- Yellow Birch Lake -- Access
- Boot Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake Off Beaver Tr.
Campgrounds
- East Star Lake Campground
- West Star Lake Campground
- Laurel Lake
- Laurel Lake Recreation Area
- Anvil Lake Recreation Area
- Razorback Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Main Branch--Headwaters To Forest Road 2174
- North Branch--Butternut Lake To Confluence With Main Branch
- 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
- North Branch (Sections 19/30 Line) To Unnamed Creek In Sec 4, T37n, R13e
Track Otter Rapids 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 Otter Rapids
Where does the data for Otter Rapids 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 Otter Rapids .