Carl dam
Carl
Carl, also known as Grandpa's Lake, is a privately owned Earth dam located in Lincoln, Wisconsin. Completed in 1957, this recreational structure stands at 11 feet tall and spans 2000 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, Carl is currently rated as being in poor condition, with a recent assessment conducted in November 2020.
Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Carl is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and functionality. With a drainage area of 2 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 250 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels of the surrounding area. Although its condition is deemed poor, efforts are likely underway to address any necessary repairs or maintenance to mitigate potential risks and improve its overall performance.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Carl serves as a valuable case study in the management of recreational dams in Wisconsin. Its location, design, and historical significance offer insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining aging infrastructure in a changing climate. As efforts continue to assess and address its condition, Carl remains a focal point for ongoing discussions on water resource management and dam safety in the region.
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 Carl -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie River Near Merrill | 190 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Merrill | 3,620 cfs | → |
| Spirit River At Spirit Falls | 226 cfs | → |
| Rib River At Rib Falls | 713 cfs | → |
| Eau Claire River At Kelly | 253 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Rothschild | 4,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carl.
Boat launches
- Purple Loosestrife -- Island In Alexander Lake 0.15mi Se Pine Grove Rd
- Alexander Flowage -- Access
- South Shore Drive Town Of Merrill
- Prairie River -- Launch Site
- State Highway 86 Tomahawk
- Mohawksin Lake -- Access At Near Dean Rd
Campgrounds
- Camp New Wood County Park Campground
- Camp New Wood County Park
- Council Grounds State Park
- Underdown County Park Campground
- Sara Park
- Lakeview Park Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Footbridge
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Carl 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 Carl
Where does the data for Carl 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 Carl.