Dells

Chippewa River· Eau Claire, Wisconsin· Built 1907· Gravity· 40 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Dells is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 92.6% in WI)
Dam Length619 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage12.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.2K acre-ft
Surface Area1,183 acres
Drainage Area5,752 sq mi
Max Discharge170,000 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDWI00736

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 14, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Northern States Power Co

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Half Moon Lake

Eau Claire, WI

Low Hazard 16 ft

Altoona

Eau Claire, WI

High Hazard 44 ft

Lake Hallie

Chippewa, WI

Low Hazard 23 ft

Elk Creek

Dunn, WI

Low Hazard 24 ft

Chippewa Falls

Chippewa, WI

Low Hazard 30 ft

Glen Loch

Chippewa, WI

High Hazard 37 ft

Wissota

Chippewa, WI

High Hazard 68 ft

Hayden

Dunn, WI

Low Hazard 34 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dells?

Dells 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?

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

When was Dells built?

Dells was completed in 1907, making it 119 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?

Dells 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 Dells?

Dells has a dam height of 40 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 last inspected?

Dells was last inspected on June 14, 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.