White Rapids dam
White Rapids
White Rapids, located in Marinette, Wisconsin, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam built in 1927 on the Menominee River. With a gravity design and a height of 40 feet, the dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. It has a storage capacity of 7,740 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 4,550 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 455 acres and draining a watershed of 3,325 acres.
Despite its age, White Rapids is considered to be in fair condition with a high hazard potential due to its structural height and hydraulic features. The dam has a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge capacity of 74,500 cubic feet per second. It is not regularly inspected by state agencies, but it falls under state jurisdiction for permitting and enforcement. The risk assessment for White Rapids rates it as very high, indicating the potential for significant consequences in the event of a failure, highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintenance.
White Rapids stands as a historical landmark in Wisconsin, contributing to the region's energy production and offering recreational opportunities for visitors. Its presence on the Menominee River underscores the intersection of water resource management, climate considerations, and the importance of infrastructure maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water systems. As a key player in the local hydroelectric industry, White Rapids continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of energy production, recreation, 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 White Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 2,950 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 3,690 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 249 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 3,440 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Rapids.
Boat launches
- Menominee River -- White Rapids Dam Access
- Broberg Lane No 23 Lake Township
- County Road 356 Lake Township
- Shakey Lane Lake Township
- Menominee River -- Access At River Rd
- Wolf Lake -- Access - S End Lake - Warren Rd
Campgrounds
- Evergreen City Park
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Cedar River North State Forest Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Old Veterans State Camp Ground
- Old Veterans Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
Track White Rapids 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 White Rapids
Where does the data for White Rapids 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 High 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 White Rapids.