Lake Kegonsa

YAHARA· Dane, Wisconsin· Built 1938· Gravity· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Navigation Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

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

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 17.3% in WI)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage16.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.7K acre-ft
Surface Area2,716 acres
Drainage Area410 sq mi
Max Discharge3,790 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDWI01072

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: October 31, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Dane County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Kegonsa?

Lake Kegonsa 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 Lake Kegonsa?

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

When was Lake Kegonsa built?

Lake Kegonsa 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 Lake Kegonsa?

Lake Kegonsa serves the following purposes: Navigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Kegonsa?

Lake Kegonsa 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 Lake Kegonsa last inspected?

Lake Kegonsa was last inspected on October 31, 2012. 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.