Centralia

Wisconsin River· Wood, Wisconsin· Built 1887· Gravity· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Centralia is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1887 and is 139 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 81.6% in WI)
Dam Length1,325 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area250 acres
Drainage Area5,400 sq mi
Max Discharge36,030 cfs
Year Completed1887 (139 years old)
NID IDWI00816

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 24, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Domtar Wisconsin Dam Corp

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Centralia?

Centralia 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 Centralia?

Centralia is owned by Domtar Wisconsin Dam Corp (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Centralia built?

Centralia was completed in 1887, making it 139 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 Centralia?

Centralia 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 Centralia?

Centralia has a dam height of 30 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 Centralia last inspected?

Centralia was last inspected on September 24, 2019. 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.