Callahan Lake

NORTH FORK CHIEF RIVER· Sawyer, Wisconsin· Built 1938· Gravity· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Callahan Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 45% in WI)
Dam Length225 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage6.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.4K acre-ft
Surface Area602 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge600 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDWI00308

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: June 2, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Jenkins, Ruby

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Callahan Lake?

Callahan 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 Callahan Lake?

Callahan Lake is owned by Jenkins, Ruby (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Callahan Lake built?

Callahan Lake was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Callahan Lake?

Callahan 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 Callahan Lake?

Callahan Lake has a dam height of 15 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 Callahan Lake last inspected?

Callahan Lake was last inspected on June 2, 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.