Fawn Lake Dam
Fawn Lake
Fawn Lake in Ashland, Wisconsin, is a privately owned water resource regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1980, this dam stands at a height of 15.8 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 14 acres and drains a small watershed of 0.14 square miles into an unnamed creek.
With a spillway type classified as "Uncontrolled" and a hazard potential rated as "High," Fawn Lake poses moderate risks that are currently being managed through regular inspections every two years. Despite its condition assessment being labeled as "Not Rated," the dam has not undergone any modifications since its construction. Although the emergency action plan status and inundation maps preparation are unknown, the risk management measures in place aim to mitigate potential dangers associated with the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fawn Lake presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned dam in Wisconsin with significant storage capacity and drainage area. The lake's moderate risk level and high hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. As a critical water resource in the region, Fawn Lake serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of regulatory oversight, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness in managing dam infrastructure.
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 Fawn Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 83 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 181 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 21 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 59 cfs | → |
About Fawn Lake
Where does the data for Fawn 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 High 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 below 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.
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.