Swelstad dam
Swelstad
Swelstad, Jack is a private water resource in Marinette, Wisconsin, regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Situated along the tributary to the South Branch of the Penbenowan River, this dam stands at a height of 21.1 feet with a hydraulic height of 16.1 feet. It has a storage capacity of 555 acre-feet, providing critical water supply for the surrounding area.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Swelstad, Jack received a fair condition assessment in 2015. The dam has a surface area of 29.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles, contributing to its important role in managing water resources in the region. The last inspection took place in November 2013, with a scheduled frequency of every 10 years to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
With its strategic location and modest storage capacity, Swelstad, Jack serves as a key water resource in Marinette County. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, monitoring and maintaining structures like this dam are crucial for sustainable water management in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Swelstad, Jack to be an intriguing case study in the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, 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 Swelstad -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,750 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Niagara | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 265 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 3,150 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swelstad.
Boat launches
- Smith Lake -- Access At S Side Of Lake Nr Fire Ln Rd
- Timms Lake -- Access At Se End Of Lake Timms Lake Rd
- Menominee River -- Access At River Rd
- Wiggins Lake -- Access At Ne Side Of Lake Nr Wiggins Rd
- County Road 577 Faithorn Township
- Beecher Lake -- Ramp At S End Nr Beecher Creek
Campgrounds
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Evergreen City Park
- River Bends Campground
- Summer Breeze Campground
- Goodman County Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- South Branch--Origin In Sec 25, T38n, R14e To Confluence With Main Branch
Track Swelstad 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 Swelstad
Where does the data for Swelstad 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 Swelstad.