Wisconsin Rapids dam
Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids, located along the Wisconsin River in Wood County, Wisconsin, is home to a gravity dam constructed in 1843 primarily for hydroelectric power generation. The dam, with a height of 34 feet and a length of 6040 feet, serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, irrigation, recreation, and water supply for the region. With a storage capacity of 4660 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 130,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Owned and operated by a private entity, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has a low hazard potential. Despite its age, the dam is continuously inspected with an inspection frequency of three years. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in 2019, ensuring that proper risk management measures are in place to address any potential hazards. The dam's location and design make it a key infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
In conclusion, Wisconsin Rapids' gravity dam stands as a historic yet vital piece of infrastructure along the Wisconsin River, contributing to the region's water supply, flood control, and energy production needs. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure their continued safety and efficiency in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Wisconsin Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,760 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 114 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Babcock | 42 cfs | → |
| Tomorrow River Near Nelsonville | 33 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 229 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wisconsin Rapids .
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
- Lake Wazeecha -- Access
- Biron Flowage -- Access
- Wisconsin River Landing - Sheila Ln Off Point Basse Ave
Track Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Rapids
Where does the data for Wisconsin 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 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 Wisconsin Rapids .