Map of All 988 Wisconsin Dams
Wisconsin has 988 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 197 are classified as high hazard (20% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 7 Wisconsin dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Wisconsin dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Wisconsin to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Wisconsin Dams by the Numbers
- 988 total dams in Wisconsin
- 197 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 85 significant hazard
- 706 low hazard
- 63 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (42 poor, 21 unsatisfactory)
- 7 Wisconsin dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Wisconsin
The tallest dam in Wisconsin is Superior Falls at 138 feet, completed in 1935. The 10 tallest Wisconsin dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Falls | 138 ft | 1935 | Hydroelectric | Not Rated | Iron |
| Eau Galle Dam | 127 ft | 1968 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Pierce |
| Hatfield | 92 ft | 1908 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Jackson |
| Big Quinnesec Falls | 92 ft | 1949 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Marinette |
| Flambeau | 92 ft | 1951 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Rusk |
| Plum Creek 2 | 88 ft | 1973 | Flood Risk Reduction | Satisfactory | Pierce |
| High Falls | 83 ft | 1910 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Marinette |
| Caldron Falls | 81 ft | 1924 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Marinette |
| Wissota South Saddle Dike | 79 ft | 1917 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Chippewa |
| Wissota North Saddle Dike | 79 ft | 1917 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Chippewa |
High-Hazard Wisconsin Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 7 dams in Wisconsin. Notable examples:
- West Fork Kickapoo 1 (63 ft, Vernon County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Unsatisfactory condition
- Rock Falls (43 ft, Dunn County) — Poor condition
- Mlsna (35 ft, Vernon County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Unsatisfactory condition
- Rothschild (27 ft, Marathon County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Rice (19 ft, Lincoln County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Wisconsin
Dam safety in Wisconsin is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has 988 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 197 high hazard, 85 significant hazard, and 706 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Wisconsin?
The tallest dam in Wisconsin is Superior Falls at 138 feet, completed in 1935. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many Wisconsin dams are in poor condition?
63 Wisconsin dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 7 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
