Pigeon Falls Mill dam
Pigeon Falls Mill
Pigeon Falls Mill, also known as Whitehall Mill and Power Co., is a gravity dam located in Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin, along the Pigeon Creek. Completed in 1930, the dam primarily serves a recreational purpose and is owned by the local government. With a height of 12.5 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 83 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 20 acres and drains a 62 square mile area.
The dam's hazard potential is considered significant, with a condition assessment rating of fair as of May 2020. Despite being in operation for nearly a century, the dam has undergone modifications in 1999 and is subject to regular inspections every three years. The risk assessment for Pigeon Falls Mill is rated as very high, reflecting the potential consequences of failure. The dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is part of the Detroit District's jurisdiction.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Pigeon Falls Mill to be a fascinating structure, both in terms of its historical significance and its role in providing recreational opportunities in the Trempealeau County area. As a gravity dam with controlled spillways, the dam's impact on the surrounding environment and its ability to manage water flow in the Pigeon Creek watershed make it a noteworthy site for further study and appreciation. Despite its age, the dam continues to be actively monitored and maintained to ensure its safety and functionality for future generations.
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 Pigeon Falls Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trempealeau River At Arcadia | 555 cfs | → |
| Black River Ds St Hwy 54 @ Black River Falls | 652 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 593 cfs | → |
| Black River At Neillsville | 196 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 38,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pigeon Falls Mill.
Boat launches
- Lake Henry -- Public Boat Landing
- Mark Holmgren Memorial Landing -- Access
- Coon Fork Lake -- Access
- Lake Eau Claire --- Access Near Sd Ln
- Lake Eau Claire -- Access Nr County Rd South Dakota
- Fall Creek Pond -- Access
Campgrounds
- Col Larson County Park
- Riverside Memorial Park
- Hixton Village Campground
- Lions Club - Four Seasons Park - Independence
- Crystal Lake Park - Strum
- Pietrek Park Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Pigeon Falls Mill 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 Pigeon Falls Mill
Where does the data for Pigeon Falls Mill 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 Pigeon Falls Mill.