Bentley Sawmill

PLOVER RIVER· Portage, Wisconsin· Built 1850· Gravity· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bentley Sawmill is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1850 and is 176 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 40.1% in WI)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage550 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area86 acres
Drainage Area114 sq mi
Max Discharge1,400 cfs
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)
NID IDWI00287

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 15, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Bigalke, Michael

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bentley Sawmill?

Bentley Sawmill is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bentley Sawmill?

Bentley Sawmill is owned by Bigalke, Michael (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bentley Sawmill built?

Bentley Sawmill was completed in 1850, making it 176 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bentley Sawmill?

Bentley Sawmill serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bentley Sawmill?

Bentley Sawmill has a dam height of 14 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bentley Sawmill last inspected?

Bentley Sawmill was last inspected on November 15, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.