Briggsville
Key Takeaway
Briggsville is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1850 and is 176 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 14 ft (taller than 40.1% in WI) |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| Max Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 856 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,800 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1850 (176 years old) |
| NID ID | WI00158 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Town of Douglas
Local Government
Nearby Dams
Oxford
Marquette, WI
Low Hazard 25 ftPeppermill
Adams, WI
Low Hazard 12 ftFrench Creek Wildlife Refuge
Columbia, WI
Low Hazard 10 ftDell Creek
Sauk, WI
Low Hazard 30 ftLake of The Dells
Sauk, WI
Low Hazard 16 ftRichards Mill
Marquette, WI
Significant Hazard 13 ftKilbourn
Columbia, WI
High Hazard 61 ftFrench Creek Wildlife Upper
Columbia, WI
Low Hazard 7 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Briggsville?
Briggsville is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Briggsville?
Briggsville is owned by Town of Douglas (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Briggsville built?
Briggsville 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 Briggsville?
Briggsville 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 Briggsville?
Briggsville 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 Briggsville last inspected?
Briggsville was last inspected on April 6, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.