Black Brook

Apple River· Polk, Wisconsin· Built 1917· Gravity· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Black Brook is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 70.9% in WI)
Dam Length270 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area98 acres
Drainage Area162 sq mi
Max Discharge4,500 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDWI00050

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: May 19, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black Brook?

Black Brook 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 Black Brook?

Black Brook is owned by Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black Brook built?

Black Brook was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Black Brook?

Black Brook serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Black Brook?

Black Brook has a dam height of 25 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 Black Brook last inspected?

Black Brook was last inspected on May 19, 2022. 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.