Wisconsin's Dam Safety Program

There are approximately 3,800 dams in existence in the State of Wisconsin. Since the late 19th century, more than 700 dams have been built, then washed out or removed. Since 1967, approximately 100 dams have been removed.

Almost 60% of the dams in Wisconsin are owned by a former company or private individual, 9% by the State of Wisconsin, 17% by a municipality such as a township or county government, and 14% by other ownership types.

The federal government has jurisdiction over most large dams in Wisconsin that produce hydroelectricity - approximately 5% or nearly 200 dams. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulates the rest of the dams.

A dam with a structural height of over 6 feet and impounding 50 acre-feet or more, or having a structural height of 25 feet or more and impounding more than 15 acre-feet is classified as a large dam. There are approximately 1,160 large dams in the State of Wisconsin.

Dams are classified as Low, Significant or High Hazard.A dam is assigned a rating of High Hazard when its failure would put lives at risk. The "hazard" rating is not based on the physical attributes, quality or strength of the dam itself, but rather the potential for loss of life or property damage should the dam fail.

State Warning Center

1-800-943-0003
For reporting dam failures and other emergencies.

Related Sites

Last Revised: Thursday October 26 2006