Raciborski dam
Raciborski
Raciborski is a vital structure located in Taylor, Wisconsin, designed by USDA NRCS to primarily serve as a debris control system along the Trunk North Fork Eau Claire River. Built in 1972, this earth dam stands at 17 feet high with a hydraulic height of 12.4 feet and a length of 500 feet, providing a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. With a maximum discharge capacity of 119.5 cubic feet per second, Raciborski is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and functionality.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Raciborski is assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2016, with a moderate risk rating of 3. Regular inspections are conducted every 10 years, with the last one completed in August 2016, ensuring that any necessary maintenance or repairs are promptly addressed. While the dam does not have associated locks or gates, it features an uncontrolled spillway type and covers a surface area of 21 acres, contributing to the overall water resource management and flood control efforts in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Raciborski serves as a significant infrastructure contributing to the conservation and regulation of water flow along the Trunk North Fork Eau Claire River. Its design and purpose align with sustainable water management practices, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both their operational efficiency and safety standards. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Raciborski stands as a key component in the broader network of water infrastructure in Wisconsin, showcasing the collaborative efforts between federal agencies, state regulators, and local communities in safeguarding water resources for present and future generations.
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 Raciborski -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 198 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 196 cfs | → |
| Big Eau Pleine River At Stratford | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Raciborski.
Boat launches
- Otter Lake -- Access At 365th St
- Otter Lake -- Access At Near 165th Ave
- Otter Lake -- Access At West Side Of Lake End Of Road Off 170th Ave
- Diamond Lake -- Access
- Yellow River -- Access At Cth S North
- Chequamegon Waters Flowage -- Access Off Perkinstown Ave
Campgrounds
- Otter Lake Campground
- Chippewa Campground Loop
- Chippewa Recreation Area
- Kathryn Lake
- Mead Lake Park
- Brunet Island State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Raciborski 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 Raciborski
Where does the data for Raciborski 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 Raciborski.