Crex Meadows Refuge Extension dam
Crex Meadows Refuge Extension
The Crex Meadows Refuge Extension, located in Burnett, Wisconsin, is a state-owned water resource with a primary purpose that goes beyond typical dam structures. Completed in 1974, this Earth-type dam stands at 10 feet high and spans 10,500 feet in length, providing storage capacity of 370 acre-feet of water. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition, with the last inspection conducted in October 2011.
The dam's location along the TR-Hay Creek tributary and its adjacency to the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers make it a significant site for water management and conservation efforts in the region. With a normal storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and a surface area of 617 acres, the Crex Meadows Refuge Extension plays a vital role in maintaining water levels and supporting local wildlife habitats. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the unique design and purpose of this dam, which serves as more than just a flood control measure.
As a regulated state water resource, the Crex Meadows Refuge Extension falls under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR), which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. With a designated emergency action plan frequency of 10 years and a lack of recent condition assessments, there is room for further evaluation and risk management to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of this crucial water infrastructure in the state.
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 Crex Meadows Refuge Extension -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 428 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crex Meadows Refuge Extension.
Boat launches
- Phantom Flowage -- Public Boat Launch
- Saint Croix River -- Nelson Landing
- Saint Croix River -- Norway Point Access
- St Croix Road Pine County
- Wood Lake -- Access At W Side Of Lake Off Shore Dr
- Little Wood Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Nelson Landing
- Nelsons Landing - St. Croix National Scenic River
- Eagle Bend
- Head Of The Rapids
- Norway Point
- Norway Point Landing - St. Croix National Scenic River
Track Crex Meadows Refuge Extension 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 Crex Meadows Refuge Extension
Where does the data for Crex Meadows Refuge Extension 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 Crex Meadows Refuge Extension.