Half Moon Lake dam
Half Moon Lake
Half Moon Lake in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a captivating water resource for climate and recreation enthusiasts. This gravity dam, completed in 1977, serves primarily for recreational purposes and boasts a structural height of 16 feet and a storage capacity of 1500 acre-feet. With a surface area of 130 acres and a drainage area of 2.5 square miles, this lake offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and birdwatching.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Half Moon Lake is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and sustainability. Despite its low hazard potential, the lake is considered to have a very high risk due to its critical importance to the local community and environment. The dam's controlled spillway and maximum discharge capacity of 2082 cubic feet per second contribute to its efficient water management system, while its location as a tributary to Sherman Creek adds to the overall ecological significance of the area.
With its serene surroundings, recreational opportunities, and strategic management, Half Moon Lake stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of water resources and climate sustainability. Whether you're a water sports enthusiast, a nature lover, or a climate advocate, this picturesque destination in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, offers a captivating blend of beauty and functionality for all to enjoy.
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 Half Moon Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 841 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 323 cfs | → |
| Eau Galle River At Spring Valley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Half Moon Lake.
Boat launches
- Halfmoon Lake -- Access
- Chippewa River -- Hobbs Landing
- Dells Pond -- Access
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Indian Hills Dr
- Lake Altoona -- Access Off Kewin St
- Chippewa River -- Dells Pond
Campgrounds
- Fair Hill Campgounds
- Hoffman's Hills
- Fair Hill County Campground
- Lake Wissota State Park
- Lake Wissota State Park Campground
- Mondovi Town Park
Fishing spots
Track Half Moon Lake 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 Half Moon Lake
Where does the data for Half Moon Lake 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 Half Moon Lake.