Fountain Lake

EMMONS CREEK· Portage, Wisconsin· Built 1938· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Fountain Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length50 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage120 acre-ft
Normal Storage75 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge27 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDWI01101

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: October 27, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fountain Lake?

Fountain 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 Fountain Lake?

Fountain Lake is owned by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fountain Lake built?

Fountain Lake was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Fountain Lake?

Fountain 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 Fountain Lake?

Fountain Lake has a dam height of 8 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 Fountain Lake last inspected?

Fountain Lake was last inspected on October 27, 2011. 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.