Lake Three Dam dam
Lake Three Dam
Lake Three Dam, located in Ashland, Wisconsin, is a federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Built in 1939, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, providing a serene and picturesque environment for visitors to enjoy. With a height of 17 feet and a length of 320 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 290 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 550 acre-feet.
Situated on Spring Brook, Lake Three Dam boasts a surface area of 63 acres and a drainage area of 3 square miles. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The structure underwent its last inspection in August 2020, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 10 years. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam remains a vital part of the local water resource management system in the region.
Overall, Lake Three Dam stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in Wisconsin. As a recreational landmark with a rich history dating back to the late 1930s, the dam continues to serve both locals and tourists alike, offering a tranquil retreat amidst the natural beauty of the Ashland County landscape. With its moderate risk profile and federal oversight by the Forest Service, Lake Three Dam remains a symbol of resilience and preservation 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 Lake Three Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 198 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 156 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 17 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Three Dam.
Boat launches
- Town Of Marengo
- Mineral Lake -- Access
- Coffee Lake Road Town Of Grandview
- Potters Lake -- Access Nr County Hwy Gg
- English Lake -- Access
- East Twin Lake - Access Off Forest Rd 190
Campgrounds
- Lake Three
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Mineral Lake
- East Twin Recreation Area
- East Twin
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Lake Three 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 Lake Three Dam
Where does the data for Lake Three 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 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 Lake Three Dam.