Local servicesHospitalMayo Clinic Health System in Sparta10.0 miPost officeCataract Community Post Officeunder a mileTown hallLittle Falls Town Hallunder a milePoliceMelrose Police Department8.2 miFire stationSparta Area Fire District Station 3under a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 30 min5:20 am – 8:50 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 53 min7:35 am – 4:27 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 59°FColdest month January: highs 25°F, lows 6°F36 in of rain a year, on about 68 dayswettest month June41 in of snow a year, on about 20 days11 days above 90°F, 165 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Sparta station, 11 mi away; snow from Black Rvr Falls Sewage
Nearby landmarksCataract Pondlake · under a mileHans Beigel Pondlake · 3.3 miWadels Hillpeak · 5.5 miPolly Fallswaterfall · 7.7 miWestern Technical Collegecollege · 9.2 miHippler Hillpeak · 7.2 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsBig Creek Fishery Areastate recreation area · within reach · 1,457 acresBig Creek Fishery Area 1state recreation area · 1.9 miRem-Rathbone Creekstate recreation area · 2.5 miSand Creek Streambank Protection Areastate recreation area · 5.5 mi · 684 acresStatewide Public Access - Wdstate recreation area · 7.8 mi · 54 acresLa Crosse River Fishery Areastate recreation area · 8.2 mi · 463 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowMonroe County, WI, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsCold wave Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality68% of days had good air in 2025206 of 305 days measured90 moderate, 7 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 2 unhealthy daysMedian index 36, worst day 165main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Monroe County monitors, WI
Drinking waterSparta Waterworksserves 10,025 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation849 ft259 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
