Dells Lake

Bridge Creek· Eau Claire, Wisconsin· Built 1866· Gravity· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Dells Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1866 and is 160 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 75.9% in WI)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage560 acre-ft
Normal Storage409 acre-ft
Surface Area75 acres
Drainage Area66 sq mi
Max Discharge2,100 cfs
Year Completed1866 (160 years old)
NID IDWI00038

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: Yes
Last Inspection: June 24, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Borntreger, Herman

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dells Lake?

Dells 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 Dells Lake?

Dells Lake is owned by Borntreger, Herman (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dells Lake built?

Dells Lake was completed in 1866, making it 160 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 Dells Lake?

Dells 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 Dells Lake?

Dells Lake has a dam height of 27 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 Dells Lake last inspected?

Dells Lake was last inspected on June 24, 2015. 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.