Weyauwega residents along the Wolf and Little Wolf rivers spent Tuesday packing up and heading for higher ground after emergency crews warned that the Big Falls Dam on the Little Wolf River was at risk of failing. Following heavy storms and rapidly rising water, officials urged people in low‑lying areas to evacuate and to grab only the essentials.
Who Was Told To Evacuate
The Weyauwega Area Fire Department flagged several neighborhoods as a “threatened area” and told residents to get out immediately. The advisory covered Guth Road, Kurth Drive, Deer Haven Road, Ona Pines Road and County Road F near Gills Landing. For anyone without a safe place to stay, officials opened the community center at Weyauwega City Hall on Main Street, according to Spectrum News.
What Officials Warned
The National Weather Service office in Green Bay issued both a flash flood warning and a flood watch, cautioning that a dam break was possible on the Little Wolf River below Big Falls Dam. Emergency management reported conditions that could lead to “life threatening flash flooding” downstream and the agency urged residents to stay on top of updated forecasts and be ready to act quickly, according to the National Weather Service.
Crews Work To Secure The Dam
As the warnings went out, Waupaca County emergency management, dam operators and volunteers moved fast, hauling in truckloads of sand, gravel and beams to shore up the embankments around Big Falls and keep water moving safely around the structure. “Our levels have been receding,” Waupaca County Emergency Management Director Zac Van Asten said, and officials later reported the dam had reached a stable condition, according to NBC 26.
Broader Flood Context
The scramble in Weyauwega is part of a wider flooding threat across the Midwest after rounds of thunderstorms pushed rivers toward or past their limits. Forecasters warned that additional rain could send several gauges into major flood stage. Across northeastern Wisconsin, flood alerts popped up as crews kept close watch on dam reservoirs and low‑lying spots near waterways, according to AccuWeather.
Where To Get Help
Officials reiterated that anyone who cannot safely stay at home can go to the community center in Weyauwega City Hall on Main Street. Residents with questions were told to dial 2‑1‑1 for information. County leaders also urged people to sign up for the Waupaca County emergency notification system (RAVE/Smart911) and to steer clear of flooded roads, according to WBAY.
