Fall River

North Branch Crawfish River· Columbia, Wisconsin· Built 1859· Gravity· 17 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fall River is classified as significant hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1859 and is 167 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 53.1% in WI)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage900 acre-ft
Normal Storage578 acre-ft
Surface Area161 acres
Drainage Area76 sq mi
Max Discharge3,000 cfs
Year Completed1859 (167 years old)
NID IDWI00115

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Village of Fall River

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fall River?

Fall River is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Fall River?

Fall River is owned by Village of Fall River (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fall River built?

Fall River was completed in 1859, making it 167 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 Fall River?

Fall River 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 Fall River?

Fall River has a dam height of 17 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 Fall River last inspected?

Fall River was last inspected on June 17, 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.