French Creek Wildlife Refuge

FRENCH CREEK· Columbia, Wisconsin· Built 1962· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

French Creek Wildlife Refuge is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 17.3% in WI)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area800 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge109 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDWI00696

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: September 20, 2017
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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge built?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge has a dam height of 10 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 French Creek Wildlife Refuge last inspected?

French Creek Wildlife Refuge was last inspected on September 20, 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.