Hidden Valley Lake

VAN METER CREEK· Lafayette, Wisconsin· Built 1975· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Hidden Valley Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 88.5% in WI)
Dam Length720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage247 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge133 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDWI00855

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: May 28, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Hidden Valley Homeowners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hidden Valley Lake?

Hidden Valley 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 Hidden Valley Lake?

Hidden Valley Lake is owned by Hidden Valley Homeowners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hidden Valley Lake built?

Hidden Valley Lake was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Hidden Valley Lake?

Hidden Valley 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 Hidden Valley Lake?

Hidden Valley Lake has a dam height of 35 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 Hidden Valley Lake last inspected?

Hidden Valley Lake was last inspected on May 28, 2021. 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.