Algoma dam
Algoma
Located in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, Algoma is a gravity dam constructed in 1961 for recreational purposes on Silver Creek. With a height of 16 feet and a hydraulic height of 11 feet, Algoma spans 190 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Algoma remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking in the surrounding area.
The dam, regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure public safety and environmental protection. However, the last inspection conducted in November 2013 revealed the dam's deteriorating condition, raising concerns about its long-term viability. With a very high risk rating and limited risk management measures in place, stakeholders must prioritize maintenance and potential upgrades to mitigate the potential impact of a dam failure and protect the local community and ecosystem.
As a focal point for recreation in the region, Algoma serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and climate resilience. By addressing the dam's current challenges and implementing proactive risk management strategies, stakeholders can safeguard this valuable asset while enhancing the overall safety and sustainability of the area for future generations to enjoy.
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 Algoma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kewaunee River Near Kewaunee | 74 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Oil Tank Depot At Green Bay | 3,570 cfs | → |
| Oconto River Near Oconto | 738 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Near Howard | 27 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Peshtigo | 783 cfs | → |
| East River At Ct Highway Zz Near Greenleaf | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Algoma.
Boat launches
- Ahnapee River -- Olsen Park
- Krohns Lake -- Access At Park Nr Cty Kk
- Lake Michigan Boat Launch - Algoma - Christmas Tree Point
- East Alaska Lake -- Access At Park At N End Lake
- West Alaska Lake -- Access At Park Nr Cth D
- Forestville Flowage -- Access At Se End Of Flowage
Campgrounds
- Bay Shore Park Campground
- Cecil B. Depeau Bay Shore Park Campgrounds
- Group Camp @ Potawatomi State Park
- South Camp Area @ Potawatomi State Park
- Potawatomi State Park Campground
- North Camp Area @ Potawatomi State Park
More reservoirs
Track Algoma 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 Algoma
Where does the data for Algoma 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 Significant 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 Algoma.