Gollon dam
Gollon
Located in Taylor, Wisconsin, the Gollon, Bill dam serves as a vital fish and wildlife pond along the Wolf River. Built in 1966, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and spans 1445 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, it provides essential support for the surrounding ecosystem.
Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Gollon, Bill dam has a fair condition assessment as of May 2020. Despite its low hazard potential, the risk assessment for this structure is rated as very high, indicating the need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 47 feet, ensures proper water flow and discharge during peak periods.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Gollon, Bill dam offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, ecology, and risk management. Its role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats while managing water flow highlights the importance of sustainable dam operations in safeguarding our natural resources. With ongoing inspections and regulatory oversight, this structure exemplifies the balance between human development and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Gollon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jump River At Sheldon | 198 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Chippewa Falls | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Flambeau River Near Bruce | 1,710 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 Gollon.
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
- Yellow River -- Access At Cth S North
- Diamond Lake -- Access
- Pike Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Otter Lake Campground
- Chippewa Campground Loop
- Chippewa Recreation Area
- Kathryn Lake
- Mead Lake Park
- Brunet Island State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Gollon 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 Gollon
Where does the data for Gollon 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 Gollon.