Young America dam
Young America
Located in West Bend, Wisconsin, the Young America dam stands as a testament to innovative engineering, completed in 1913 with a primary purpose of recreation. Situated on the Milwaukee River, this gravity dam boasts a height of 11 feet and a length of 430 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a surface area of 34 acres. Despite its age, the dam is well-maintained with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the local government in Washington County, Young America is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that state permitting, inspection, and enforcement are all up to standard. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 157 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 1353 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for flood control and water resource management in the region. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, its historical significance and recreational value make it a vital asset for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Young America dam serves as a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and its continued relevance in modern times. With its strategic location on the Milwaukee River and its contribution to recreational activities, this gravity dam stands as a symbol of sustainable water management practices. As efforts continue to maintain and monitor its integrity, Young America remains a key player in the conservation and utilization of water resources in the region, showcasing the intersection of history, technology, and environmental stewardship.
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 Young America -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarburg | 92 cfs | → |
| Milwaukee River Near Cedarburg | 456 cfs | → |
| Little Menomonee River Near Freistadt | 4 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rock River Near Mayville | 43 cfs | → |
| Menomonee River At Menomonee Falls | 10 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Horicon | 622 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Young America.
Boat launches
- Smith Lake -- Access
- Smith Lake - Carry-In Access At Kettle Moraine Drive
- Wallace Lake -- Access
- Silver Creek (35500) N. University Drive
- Green Lake -- South Boat Launch
- Silver Lake -- Landing
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Young America 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 Young America
Where does the data for Young America 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 Young America.