Gauge Description:

This reach will run in spring when flows regularly exceed need for power generation or pond-height replenishment needs.

* The referenced gauge is well upstream of this reach, in Neillsville. Drainage area at that gauge is 749 square miles, while drainage area at the Hatfield dam is 1290 square miles. Therefore, on average, one should expect actual flow available at the dam (for hydro use and/or release into the natural channel) should be on the order of 1.722 times that of the Neillsville gauge. That 'theoretical available flow' is what is presently being shown by the 'virtual gauge' on this reach.

The capacity of the powerplant is reported as 1262 cfs. Inflows in excess of that may initially be used to replenish the reservoir (particularly in mid-to-late summer). However, when the 'pond' is at full elevation, excess inflows will be returned to the natural channel (this reach). The 'recommended minimum' has been set at 1662 cfs on this virtual gauge: 1262 for the hydro plant, leaving a theoretical 400 cfs for the main channel. This is a level which would/should make the 'creeky' drops (immediately downstream of the Hatfield dam) runnable. Levels of 2262 cfs should leave 1000 cfs for the main reach, which would/should make the upper reach quite gnarly, but begins to make the main reach worthwhile as a playboating run. Obviously there are a great many factors which will contribute to making this gauge unreliable for determining actual flow in this reach, therefore calling the toll-free number is encouraged to confirm where the water is going.

Call 1-888-HYDROWI for a recorded message from the hydro company detailing release amounts. Unfortunately, the message may not distinguish between water in the natural (boater-interest) channel and water heading down the bypass to the powerhouse.

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Gauge/flow analysis based on data from 1963-10-01 to 2008-05-11
Drainage area at gauge	1290 sq.mi.
Minimum mean daily flow during stated period	19 cfs (1988.08.04)
90% of time flow exceeds	102 cfs
10% of time flow exceeds	2,652 cfs
Maximum mean daily flow during stated period	42,878 cfs (1979.04.25)
10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness') (under 3 is fairly steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy')	26.1
Average days per year over recommended 'low' threshold  (1662 cfs theoretically on gauge, 400 cfs theoretically in reach)	58
Average days per year over recommended 'high' threshold  (2262 cfs theoretically on gauge, 1000 cfs theoretically in reach)	43

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Based upon licensing agreement issued February, 1999, releases were scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from April through August, with flows of of April: 2,350 cfs, May: 1,595 cfs, June: 895 cfs, July: 1,070 cfs, and August: 835 cfs. Unfortunately, these were often subject to last minute cancellation (at the discretion of the hydro company) if there was not sufficient inflow to the reservoir (minimum of 400 cfs). As a result, it is best to call to confirm, though sometimes the decision to cancel has not made until Saturday morning.

 

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2007/2008 UPDATE
In an attempt to comply with the spirit of the water sharing agreement with FERC and the National Park Service (through which releases were negotiated) the hydro operations now propose to lower their cutoff flow to 150 cfs coming into Arbutus. The amount of water released will be lowered significantly as well. For June they allegedly plan a release of 400 cfs for 3 hours. The intent is to make the top section right below the dam (class IV at that level) boatable.

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For more information: Jeff Polzine at (715) 284 1946 w or (715) 284 4417 h

Angie Tornes (NPS, FERC) at 414-297-3605

There is a NOAA gauge at the Hydro Plant.

The tabular data for which can be accessed at NOAA Hatfield Hydro.

While we can embed their graph here, we do not have access to reformat their data at this time.


From the release study which was conducted in 1995, my recollection of the consensus opinion of the boaters who were there was:
1000cfs was tame play,
1750cfs was very a good intermediate level, and
2500cfs was pushy and difficult play for most boaters.
Bear in mind, 'playability factors' (boat designs, boater technique, and what constitutes a 'good' playable feature) have changed somewhat since then.

If you have input on 'best' boatable levels (either for the initial class IV 'creek' reach or for the longer 'play' reach) please use the 'Add a comment' button in the "Comments" tab, or sign on as StreamTeam member for this reach!

Black at Hatfield [ WI ]

Current Conditions

Stage	Flow	Updated
	161.9	7/4 19:15

Station Graph

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Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
WI	Black (Jackson Co)— E) Hatfield Dam to Power Plant (3.2 miles)	II-III(IV)	162 cfs*	low	7/4 19:15

Station Description

AW Gauge ID: 11094
StreamTeam: Matt Muir
Drainage area at the Neillsville gauge is 749 square miles, while drainage area at the Hatfield dam is 1290 square miles. Therefore, on average, one should expect actual flow available at the dam (for hydro use and/or release into the natural channel) should be on the order of 1.722296 times that of the Neillsville gauge. (This is not, but SHOULD be, the value upon which releases and flows in the Hatfield Black should be gauged.)

Formula

flow = 0 + 1.7223*[2209(flow)]

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