Big Moon Lake

Moon Creek· Barron, Wisconsin· Built 1968· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Big Moon Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 12% in WI)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage900 acre-ft
Surface Area187 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge660 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDWI00486

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: September 15, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Barron County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Skinaway Lake

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 12 ft

Miller

Barron, WI

Low Hazard 39 ft

Beaver Brook (Joel Flowage)

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 9 ft

Nordby

Barron, WI

Low Hazard 23 ft

Joel Marsh Wla

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 7 ft

Prairie Farm

Barron, WI

Low Hazard 16 ft

Sweeny Pond Creek

Barron, WI

Low Hazard 7 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Moon Lake?

Big Moon Lake 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 Big Moon Lake?

Big Moon Lake is owned by Barron County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Big Moon Lake built?

Big Moon Lake was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Big Moon Lake?

Big Moon Lake 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 Big Moon Lake?

Big Moon Lake has a dam height of 9 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 Big Moon Lake last inspected?

Big Moon Lake was last inspected on September 15, 2020. 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.