Centralia dam
Centralia
Centralia, located in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, is a historic hydroelectric dam on the Wisconsin River with a gravity design that was completed in 1887. The dam stands at 30 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 15.5 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 1950 acre-feet and serving multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Centralia is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 870 feet and is equipped with 13 Tainter radial gates for water flow control. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation. With its rich history, significant role in water resource management, and picturesque location on the Wisconsin River, Centralia serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of historic infrastructure and environmental sustainability in the region.
Overall, Centralia represents a blend of engineering ingenuity, natural beauty, and regulatory oversight, making it a key landmark in the water management landscape of Wisconsin. As communities continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change on water resources, the importance of maintaining and safeguarding structures like Centralia becomes increasingly vital to ensure the continued resilience of water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges. With its unique design, historical significance, and critical role in power generation and recreation, Centralia stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water resource management in the region.
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 Centralia -- 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 | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 236 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Centralia .
Boat launches
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wi Rapids Off Hwy 73
- Nepco Lake -- Access Off County Hwy Z
- Nepco Lake -- Access At Near State Hwy 13
- Wisconsin River Landing - Sheila Ln Off Point Basse Ave
- Lake Wazeecha -- Access
- Plank Hill Ramp
Campgrounds
- Dexter Park Campground
- Juneau County Wilderness Park Campground
- Pineland Camping
- North Wood County Park Campground
- Vista Royalle Campground
- Petenwell County Park Main Campground
More reservoirs
Track Centralia 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 Centralia
Where does the data for Centralia 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 Centralia .