Shawano Paper Mills Dam (Shawano Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Shawano Paper Mills
Other Name: LITTLE RAPIDS
NID ID: WI83009
Longitude: -88.61667
Latitude: 44.78333
Map Section: 36
County: SHAWANO
River: WOLF CREEK
State: WI
Nearest City: SHAWANO
Owner Name: NEW HYDRO, INC
Owner Type: Private
Dam Designer: BARR ENGINEERING CO
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Gravity
Core: Upstream Facing (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Estimated (Certainty)
Foundation: RSZ
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1974
Dam Length: 272 feet
Dam Height: 13 feet
Hydraulic Height: 10.5 feet
Maximum Discharge: 6000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 2400 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 2400 acre-feet
Surface Area: 330 acres
Drainage Area: 1130 square miles
Hazard Potential: Low
Emergency Action Plan? Not Required By Submitting Agency
Inspection Date: 2010-09-24
Inspection Frequency: 3
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 102 feet
Outlet Gates: T3;S3;
Federal Funding Agency: LITTLE RAPIDS
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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