Bakkens Pond dam
Bakkens Pond
Bakkens Pond, located in Sauk County, Wisconsin, is a state-regulated water resource with a primary purpose categorized as "Other". This Earth dam was completed in 1968 and stands at a height of 10 feet, with a hydraulic height of 4 feet. The pond has a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 60 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 60 acres with a drainage area of 16.3 square miles.
The dam's low hazard potential and fair condition assessment indicate a moderate risk level, prompting a moderate risk assessment score of 3. The pond serves as an inlet to Long Lake Flowage and is situated in the St. Paul District, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR). Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, Bakkens Pond remains a vital water resource in the region, contributing to the local ecosystem and supporting various wildlife management efforts.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Bakkens Pond can appreciate its ecological significance, as well as the regulatory framework in place to ensure its safe operation and maintenance. With a history dating back to the late 1960s, this Earth dam continues to provide valuable water storage and management capabilities, showcasing the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate patterns. As a key feature in the Wisconsin landscape, Bakkens Pond stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization with environmental conservation.
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 Bakkens Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin River At Muscoda | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Black Earth Creek At Black Earth | 51 cfs | → |
| Brewery Creek-Upstream Site-At Cross Plains | 2 cfs | → |
| East Br Pecatonica River Near Blanchardville | 183 cfs | → |
| Pheasant Branch At Airport Road Nr Middleton | 2 cfs | → |
| Pheasant Branch At Middleton | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bakkens Pond.
Boat launches
- Bakkens Pond -- Launch
- Long Lake -- Access
- Wisconsin River -- Otter Creek Landing
- Sneed Creek At High Point Rd
- Smith Slough -- Lone Rock Unit #2
- Wisconsin River -- Pecks Landing
Campgrounds
- Tower Hill State Park
- Tower Hill State Park Campground
- Avoca Lakeside City Campground
- Twin Valley Campground
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Governor Dodge State Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
- Honey Creek (County Road Y On The Southern Bank) To The State Route 130 Highway Bridge Crossing At Lone Rock
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track Bakkens Pond 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 Bakkens Pond
Where does the data for Bakkens Pond 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 Bakkens Pond.