Upper Dam dam
Upper Dam
Upper Dam, located in Gresham, Wisconsin, along the Red River, is a gravity dam primarily used for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. Built in 1883, this historic structure stands at a height of 18 feet with a hydraulic height of 35 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 1300 acre-feet. The dam spans 289 feet in length and has a surface area of 215 acres, serving a drainage area of 147 square miles.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Upper Dam has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone recent condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in July 2017. The controlled spillway, with a width of 113 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 2600 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure in case of emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upper Dam represents a blend of historical significance, renewable energy production, and recreational opportunities. As a vital part of the local ecosystem and infrastructure, this gravity dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in Shawano County, Wisconsin.
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 Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Morgan Road Near Morgan | 229 cfs | → |
| Embarrass River Near Embarrass | 709 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At Langlade | 433 cfs | → |
| Oconto River Near Gillett | 691 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf River At Royalton | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Wolf River At New London | 2,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Dam .
Boat launches
- North Branch Embarrass River -- Tilleda Pond Access
- Balsam Row Pond/Wolf River -- Boat Ramp
- Wolf River -- Access At Judd Park Boat Ramp
- Shawano -- Huckleberry Harbor Access
- Shawano Lake -- Access Nr County Hhh And Lake Dr
- Shawano Lake -- Cattau Beach Dr Access
Campgrounds
- Pine Grove Campground
- Shawano County Fairgrounds
- Shawano County Park
- Boulder Lake Recreation Area Campgrounds
- Boulder Lake Recreation Area
- Chute Pond Park
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
- Main Branch-Forest Boundary In Sec 18, T37n, R15e To Railroad Bridge
Track Upper Dam 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 Upper Dam
Where does the data for Upper Dam 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.