Black River Falls

Black River· Jackson, Wisconsin· Built 1912· Gravity· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Black River Falls is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 55.3% in WI)
Dam Length843 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage6.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area198 acres
Drainage Area1,470 sq mi
Max Discharge50,000 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDWI00043

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: August 28, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Black River Falls, City of

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black River Falls?

Black River Falls 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 River Falls?

Black River Falls is owned by Black River Falls, City of (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black River Falls built?

Black River Falls was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 River Falls?

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

How tall is Black River Falls?

Black River Falls has a dam height of 18 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 River Falls last inspected?

Black River Falls was last inspected on August 28, 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.