Skunk Creek dam
Skunk Creek
Skunk Creek, located in Wood County, Wisconsin, is a vital water resource with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, completed in 1986, is an earth structure with a height of 7.2 feet and a hydraulic height of 4.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 237 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 496 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a controlled spillway with a width of 80 feet. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the risk assessment for Skunk Creek is considered very high, emphasizing the importance of proper management and maintenance.
The creek offers a surface area of 12 acres and drains an area of 1 square mile. Its location within the Detroit District and the state-regulated jurisdiction of Wisconsin ensures that it undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to uphold safety standards. While the associated structures remain minimal, the recreational value of Skunk Creek is evident through its use for leisure activities. However, with a risk management rating of Very High (1), there is a pressing need for ongoing monitoring and measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the creek's sustainability for future generations.
Skunk Creek serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the delicate balance between recreation and risk management. As a locally owned dam with state oversight, it stands as a testament to the importance of responsible stewardship in preserving our natural environment. With its historical significance dating back to the 1980s and its continued relevance in today's water management landscape, Skunk Creek serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between human activities and the broader ecosystem. By prioritizing safety measures and conservation efforts, we can ensure that Skunk Creek remains a cherished resource for generations to come.
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 Skunk Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow River At Babcock | 49 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River At Wisconsin Rapids | 4,570 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 196 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Nekoosa | 119 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Necedah | 236 cfs | → |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skunk Creek.
Boat launches
- Lake Dexter -- Access On Sw Side Of Lake
- Lake Dexter -- Access Off State Hwy 80
- Potter Flowage -- Access
- Plank Hill Ramp
- Wisconsin River Landing - Sheila Ln Off Point Basse Ave
- Wisconsin River -- Access At Wi Rapids Off Hwy 73
Track Skunk Creek 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 Skunk Creek
Where does the data for Skunk Creek 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 Skunk Creek.