Island Lake

Swift Creek· Rusk, Wisconsin· Built 1875· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Island Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1875 and is 151 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 24.3% in WI)
Dam Length35 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage10.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.5K acre-ft
Surface Area1,222 acres
Drainage Area29 sq mi
Max Discharge385 cfs
Year Completed1875 (151 years old)
NID IDWI00299

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 18, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Rusk County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Island Lake?

Island 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 Island Lake?

Island Lake is owned by Rusk County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Island Lake built?

Island Lake was completed in 1875, making it 151 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 Island Lake?

Island 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 Island Lake?

Island Lake has a dam height of 11 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 Island Lake last inspected?

Island Lake was last inspected on September 18, 2019. 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.