Bad Axe 11 dam
Bad Axe 11
Bad Axe 11, also known as Duck Egg, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Newton, Vernon County, Wisconsin. Constructed in 1987 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 70 feet and spans a length of 1100 feet. With a storage capacity of 4350 acre-feet and the ability to handle a maximum discharge of 14830 cubic feet per second, Bad Axe 11 plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the Springville Branch of the Bad Axe River.
Managed by the WIDNR and subject to state jurisdiction, Bad Axe 11 has been assessed to have a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 104 feet, helps regulate water levels during periods of high flow. Despite its low risk, the structure is subject to regular inspections every 10 years to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. With its location in a moderate risk area, Bad Axe 11 serves as a key component of the region's water resource management infrastructure.
Representing a collaboration between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS, Bad Axe 11 exemplifies the importance of strategic dam construction in protecting communities from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change. Its presence in the St. Paul District underscores the interconnected nature of water resource management and the need for proactive measures to mitigate flood risks. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bad Axe 11 stands as a notable example of effective infrastructure design and management in response to evolving environmental challenges.
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 Bad Axe 11 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kickapoo River At La Farge | 250 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 408 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At State Highway 33 At Ontario | 149 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River At Sparta | 209 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 731 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 631 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bad Axe 11.
Boat launches
- Sidie Hollow Lake -- Access
- Mississippi River -- Genoa Harbor
- Mississippi River -- Dairyland Power Landing - Genoa
- Bad Axe River/Mississippi River -- Landing
- Mississippi River -- Stoddard Park Landing
- Army Road Boat Landing
Campgrounds
- Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park Campground
- Sidie Hollow County Park Main Campground
- Esofea - Rentz Memorial Park
- Main - Sidie Hollow Park
- Sidie Hollow County Park Ridge Campground
- Ridge - Sidie Hollow Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
More reservoirs
Track Bad Axe 11 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 Bad Axe 11
Where does the data for Bad Axe 11 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 Bad Axe 11.