Biron dam
Biron
Located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Biron is a private hydroelectric dam on the Wisconsin River completed in 1937. With a gravity dam type standing at 24 feet high and 18177 feet long, Biron serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, irrigation, recreation, and water supply. The dam has a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, making it a crucial structure for managing water resources in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Biron has a normal storage capacity of 19500 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 167000 cubic feet per second. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 568 feet and 22 Tainter (radial) outlet gates. Despite its age, the condition assessment of Biron is not available, indicating a need for further inspection and maintenance to ensure its continued operation and safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Biron offers a fascinating example of how hydroelectric infrastructure plays a vital role in managing water resources and providing various benefits to the surrounding community. As a key piece of water infrastructure in Wisconsin, Biron's significance lies in its ability to harness the power of the Wisconsin River for electricity generation while also serving important functions such as flood control and irrigation. Understanding the operation and maintenance of dams like Biron is essential for ensuring the sustainable management of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Biron -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,570 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 119 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 49 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 25 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 236 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Biron .
Boat launches
- Biron Flowage -- Access
- Lake Wazeecha -- Access
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wi Rapids Off Hwy 73
- Nepco Lake -- Access At Near State Hwy 13
- Nepco Lake -- Access Off County Hwy Z
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Park Dr Plover
Track Biron 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 Biron
Where does the data for Biron 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 Biron .