Day Lake

CHIPPEWA RIV W FORK· Ashland, Wisconsin· Built 1968· Concrete· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Day Lake is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 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 25 ft (taller than 70.9% in WI)
Dam Length380 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage6.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.2K acre-ft
Surface Area640 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Max Discharge2,390 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDWI00821

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 10, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Day Lake?

Day Lake 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 Day Lake?

Day Lake is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Day Lake built?

Day Lake was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Day Lake?

Day Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Day Lake?

Day Lake has a dam height of 25 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 Day Lake last inspected?

Day Lake was last inspected on August 10, 2020. 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.