Chippewa Falls

Chippewa River· Chippewa, Wisconsin· Built 1928· Gravity· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Chippewa Falls is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1928 and is 98 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 81.6% in WI)
Dam Length1,376 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.3K acre-ft
Surface Area270 acres
Drainage Area5,650 sq mi
Max Discharge100,000 cfs
Year Completed1928 (98 years old)
NID IDWI00731

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 26, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Northern States Power Co

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Glen Loch

Chippewa, WI

High Hazard 37 ft

Wissota

Chippewa, WI

High Hazard 68 ft

Tilden

Chippewa, WI

Low Hazard 16 ft

Lake Hallie

Chippewa, WI

Low Hazard 23 ft

Altoona

Eau Claire, WI

High Hazard 44 ft

Dells

Eau Claire, WI

Low Hazard 40 ft

Bowe

Chippewa, WI

Low Hazard 20 ft

Jim Falls

Chippewa, WI

High Hazard 55 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chippewa Falls?

Chippewa 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 Chippewa Falls?

Chippewa Falls is owned by Northern States Power Co (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chippewa Falls built?

Chippewa Falls was completed in 1928, making it 98 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 Chippewa Falls?

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

How tall is Chippewa Falls?

Chippewa Falls 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 Chippewa Falls last inspected?

Chippewa Falls was last inspected on May 26, 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.