Menasha Lock And Dam dam
Menasha Lock And Dam
Menasha Lock and Dam, located in Menasha, Wisconsin, is a vital structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk reduction, fish and wildlife conservation, navigation, recreation, and water supply purposes. Completed in 1937, the concrete dam stands at a height of 16 feet with a hydraulic height of 9 feet and a length of 401 feet. It has a controlled spillway with a width of 367 feet and one lock measuring 144 feet in length and 35 feet in width.
A recent risk assessment conducted by USACE identified potential hazards such as overtopping of the island between the dam and navigation channel, as well as seepage through the abutments. To mitigate risks, regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency action plans are in place. The dam's partners work closely to monitor conditions, with USACE staff making frequent visits to adjust gates and ensure structural integrity. Additionally, proactive measures such as tree removal and equipment upgrades have enhanced the dam's reliability and long-term resilience.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management of infrastructure like Menasha Lock and Dam, the collaboration between multiple agencies and the proactive approach to addressing potential risks serve as an example of effective risk management and maintenance practices in ensuring the safety and functionality of critical water resources.
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 Menasha Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Appleton | 8,860 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oshkosh | 12,600 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 3,110 cfs | → |
| East River At Ct Highway Zz Near Greenleaf | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf River At Royalton | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Near Howard | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Menasha Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Winnebago -- Smith Park Boat Ramp (Menasha Channel)
- Lake Winnebago -- Neenah - Doty Park Access
- Lake Butte Des Morts -- Ninth Street Boat Launch
- Little Lake Butte Des Morts -- Menasha - Fritze Park Access
- Lake Winnebago -- Neenah - South Park Ave. Rec Park
- Fox River -- Appleton - Lutz Park Ramps
Track Menasha Lock And Dam 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 Menasha Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Menasha Lock And Dam 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 Menasha Lock And Dam.