Lac Vieux Desert

Wisconsin River· Vilas, Wisconsin· Built 1907· Gravity· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Flood Risk Reduction Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lac Vieux Desert is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 12% in WI)
Dam Length27 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage49.2K acre-ft
Drainage Area34 sq mi
Max Discharge153 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDWI01138

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: No
Last Inspection: June 12, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lac Vieux Desert?

Lac Vieux Desert 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 Lac Vieux Desert?

Lac Vieux Desert is owned by Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lac Vieux Desert built?

Lac Vieux Desert was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 Lac Vieux Desert?

Lac Vieux Desert serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lac Vieux Desert?

Lac Vieux Desert has a dam height of 9 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 Lac Vieux Desert last inspected?

Lac Vieux Desert was last inspected on June 12, 2018. 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.