Howley dam
Howley
Howley, a privately-owned earth dam located in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, was designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1974. With a height of 33 feet and a length of 400 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and serves a primary purpose of "Other." Despite having a low hazard potential, the dam is classified as moderate risk level 3 due to its condition assessment being marked as "Not Available."
Operated and funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Howley features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. The dam is situated on the Tr Turton Creek and falls under the jurisdiction of the Detroit District. Although the last inspection date is unknown, the inspection frequency is set at 10 years, indicating a need for periodic evaluation of the dam's structural integrity. With Congressman Ron Kind representing the area, Howley stands as a crucial structure in managing water resources and climate impacts in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Howley to be an intriguing case study, showcasing the collaboration between private ownership and federal agencies in maintaining dam safety and functionality. As a part of the larger network of infrastructure designed to mitigate flood risks and regulate water flow, Howley's design and purpose reflect the ongoing efforts to balance environmental protection with human development. By understanding the intricacies of dams like Howley, stakeholders can better appreciate the complexities of managing water resources in a changing climate landscape.
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 Howley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 38,900 cfs | → |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 425 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howley.
Boat launches
- Lake Henry -- Public Boat Landing
- Marinuka Lake -- Access
- Great River Road Town Of Trempealeau
- Black River -- North Bend Access
- Trempealeau River -- Perrot State Park
- Black River -- Access Nr State Hwy 35
Campgrounds
- Pietrek County Park
- Pietrek Park Campgrounds
- Lions Club - Four Seasons Park - Independence
- Riverside Memorial Park
- Col Larson County Park
- Champions Riverside Resort
Fishing spots
Track Howley 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 Howley
Where does the data for Howley 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 Howley.