Dunkirk

Yahara River· Dane, Wisconsin· Built 1915· Gravity· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Dunkirk is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 60.1% in WI)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Normal Storage270 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area414 sq mi
Max Discharge4,626 cfs
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDWI00118

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 25, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Dunkirk Dam Lake District

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dunkirk?

Dunkirk 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 Dunkirk?

Dunkirk is owned by Dunkirk Dam Lake District (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dunkirk built?

Dunkirk was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Dunkirk?

Dunkirk 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 Dunkirk?

Dunkirk has a dam height of 20 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 Dunkirk last inspected?

Dunkirk was last inspected on September 25, 2017. 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.