Helwig dam
Helwig
Helwig is a privately owned dam located in Buffalo, Wisconsin, along the TR Buffalo River. Built in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 400 feet in length, providing essential functions for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. The dam has a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 47 cubic feet per second, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite being under state jurisdiction and regulation by WIDNR, Helwig has not been rated for its condition assessment and lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) as of the last inspection in 2010. The dam is regularly inspected every 10 years, with a risk management plan yet to be implemented. With its uncontrolled spillway type and limited surface area, Helwig serves as a crucial water resource structure in the region, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and risk assessment for climate enthusiasts and water resource management professionals.
As a part of the Detroit District's water infrastructure, Helwig provides vital support for local water management efforts in Wisconsin. With its primary purpose focused on safeguarding against fire hazards and supporting aquatic ecosystems, the dam plays a key role in maintaining the resilience of the surrounding environment. Continued monitoring and maintenance of Helwig are essential to ensure its long-term functionality and safety, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration between private owners, state agencies, and conservation organizations to protect and preserve this valuable water resource.
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 Helwig -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River At Durand | 8,090 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At Menomonie | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 38,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helwig.
Boat launches
- Mississippi River -- Alma Marina
- Lower Chippewa River -- Landing - Durand
- Beef Slough/Fox Coulee -- Access
- Thompson Lake -- Access
- Mississippi River -- Dairyland Power Landing (Alma)
- Chippewa River -- Ella Boat Landing
Campgrounds
- Mondovi Town Park Campground
- Mondovi Town Park
- Reicks Lake Park
- Reicks Lake Park Campground
- Tarrant Park Campground
- Holden Park Campground
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Helwig 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 Helwig
Where does the data for Helwig 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 Helwig.