Wisconsin
Wisconsin dams are failing more frequently, a new report finds
(AP/WSAW) – Wisconsin is seeing more frequent dam failures, another sign that the storms blowing through the state are getting stronger.
Wisconsin recorded 34 dam failures from 2000 through 2023, the second-highest total for that period behind only South Carolina, according to a Wisconsin Policy Form report.
More than 80% of the failures — 28, to be exact — happened since the start of 2018 and 18 of those happened since the start of 2020. None of the failures resulted in human deaths, the report found.
The state is home to more than 4,000 dams. Some are massive hydroelectric constructs while others are small earthen dams that create farm ponds. They’re owned by a mix of companies, individuals, government and tribal entities, and utilities.
NewsChannel 7 found that the owner of each dam is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and overall function of it.
Additionally, all dams are required to have an emergency management plan if the dam collapses. Wisconsin Public Service has engineers who check out their dams frequently to make sure they can get to any problems faster.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Inventory of Dams lists 1,004 Wisconsin dams ranging in height from 6 feet (nearly 2 meters) to the 92-foot-tall (28-meter-tall) Flambeau dam on the Dairyland Reservoir in Rusk County.
The inventory classifies more than 200 dams as having high hazard potential, meaning failure would probably cause human deaths. Of the 34 dam failures in Wisconsin over the last 23 years, three had high hazard potential, one had a significant hazard potential, meaning a failure could cause economic loss, environmental damage, and other problems, and 18 had low hazard potential, meaning failure wouldn’t result in any loss of human life and would have low economic and environmental consequences. The remainder’s hazard potential was undetermined.
Every state budget since 2009 has provided at least $4 million for dam safety work, according to the report. The funding has been enough to improve the state’s most important dams, but “a changing climate — triggering more frequent and more severe extreme rain events — could pose new and greater tests to our dam infrastructure,” it warns.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum compiled the report using data collected by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.
Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.
Expect sunshine and upper 60s to low 70s again today. With winds out of the southeast, it will be the classic cooler by the lake and warmer inland afternoon. We’ll see mostly clear skies tonight. Looking to the north, there will be the chance to see the Northern Lights across Wisconsin.
We’ll see one summer-like day on Friday with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Winds will become a bit breezy out of the southwest. A wave of energy passes across the state this weekend. While the best rain chances will be across central and northern Wisconsin, our area will still see a chance. A few showers will be possible Saturday night into Sunday.
Cool and breezy air will move in Sunday into Monday with highs falling into the mid-50s by Monday. Overnight lows will fall into the 30s with the chance for frost if winds calm down during the overnight hours.
THURSDAY: Sunny and MildHigh: 68 lake, 73 Inland
Wind: SE 5-10 mph
TONIGHT: Mainly Clear (Ch. Northern Lights)
Low: 53
Wind: SSW 5-10 mph
FRIDAY: Partly Cloudy, Breezy, and Warm
High: 80
SATURDAY: Partly Cloudy, Rain Chance At Night
High: 62
SUNDAY: Ch. Showers, Cool, Breezy
High: 58
MONDAY: Ch. Showers, Cool, Breezy
High: 55
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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A Wisconsin woman was inspired to take action after seeing the devastation Hurricane Helene has had on many people, including one of her own friends.
Jayne Pickart saw a Facebook post shared by her friend living in Tennessee, showing photos of roads and homes destroyed by Helene. She immediately knew she wanted to do anything to help.
Pickart began collecting donations on Facebook, and her post quickly started trending around Wisconsin. People from Beaver Dam, Waupon, Ripon and Brandon all jumped at the opportunity to help out. Some people went as far as donating portions of their paycheck.
“The generosity in small towns is just unbelievable. You cannot believe how much people want to give to help other people and other states,” said Pickart.
Pickart organized all of the materials and money donated to be sent to Tennessee. A truck containing all of the materials leaves Thursday to donate the items to a local church.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2024 WMTV. All rights reserved.
(WSAW) – With less than one month until Election Day, the presidential race is a close call in key “Rust Belt swing states” of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin: Presidential Race
In Wisconsin, 48 percent of likely voters support Trump, 46 percent support Harris, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver each receive one percent support.
In September, Harris received 48 percent support, Trump received 47 percent support, and Stein received one percent support.
Wisconsin: U.S. Senate Race
Incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin holds a slight lead over Republican challenger Eric Hovde 50 – 46 percent, essentially unchanged from last month.
Michigan: Presidential Race
In Michigan, 50 percent of likely voters support Trump while 47 percent support Harris, and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver and independent candidate Cornel West each receive one percent support.
In September, Harris received 50 percent support, Trump received 45 percent support, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein received 2 percent support.
Michigan: U.S. Senate Race
Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers share 48 percent support.
Pennsylvania: Presidential Race
In Pennsylvania, 49 percent of likely voters support Vice President Kamala Harris, 46 percent support former President Donald Trump, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver each receive one percent support.
This compares to Quinnipiac University’s September 18 poll when Harris led with 51 percent support, Trump received 45 percent support, and Stein and Oliver each received one percent support.
Pennsylvania: U.S. Senate Race
Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey leads Republican challenger David McCormick 51 – 43 percent, essentially unchanged from last month.
For full polling results, methods, and trends, visit poll.qu.edu.
Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.
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