Cranberry Lake dam
Cranberry Lake
Cranberry Lake, also known as George Von Hoffmann, is a private dam located in Vilas, Wisconsin, near Eagle River. This gravity dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and a low hazard potential. The dam stands at a structural height of 8.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 6 feet, controlling the flow of the Inlet Cranberry Lake.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Cranberry Lake poses a very high risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding area. The dam has been inspected periodically, with the last assessment conducted in November 2012. While the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, there have been no major modifications or risk management measures implemented to address the identified high risk level.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Wisconsin may find Cranberry Lake an intriguing case study, with its unique design, recreational purpose, and high risk profile. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, understanding the management and maintenance of dams like Cranberry Lake becomes increasingly important for ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability in the face of changing hydrological conditions.
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 Cranberry Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Ck-Muskellunge L Otl-Nr Eagle River | 2 cfs | → |
| Muskellunge Creek Near St. Germain | 9 cfs | → |
| Wisconsin River @ Rainbow Lake Nr Lake Tomahawk | 626 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek Site 3 Near Boulder Junction | 4 cfs | → |
| Allequash Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 11 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cranberry Lake.
Boat launches
- Catfish Lake -- Boat Launch
- Eagle Lake Boat Launch
- Ninemile Road Town Of Washington
- Silver Lake -- Access In Eagle River On 7th Street
- Yellow Birch Lake -- Access
- Anvil Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Anvil Lake Recreation Area
- Seven Mile Lake Campground
- Laurel Lake
- Laurel Lake Recreation Area
- Franklin Lake Recreation Area
- Luna White Deer Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Main Branch--Headwaters To Forest Road 2174
- North Branch--Butternut Lake To Confluence With Main Branch
- Forest Road 2174 To Private Bridge
- Private Bridge To Highway 55
- North Branch--Origin In Sec 10, T38n, R13e To 1/4 Mile West Of Highway 55
- 1/4 Mile West Of Highway 55 To Confluence With Main Branch
Track Cranberry Lake 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 Cranberry Lake
Where does the data for Cranberry Lake 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 Cranberry Lake.