Lake of The Falls

TURTLE· Iron, Wisconsin· Built 1895· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake of The Falls is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1895 and is 131 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 30.4% in WI)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area338 acres
Drainage Area136 sq mi
Max Discharge2,303 cfs
Year Completed1895 (131 years old)
NID IDWI00618

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: October 8, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Iron County - Forestry & Parks Department

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake of The Falls?

Lake of The Falls 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 of The Falls?

Lake of The Falls is owned by Iron County - Forestry & Parks Department (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake of The Falls built?

Lake of The Falls was completed in 1895, making it 131 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 of The Falls?

Lake of The Falls 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 Lake of The Falls?

Lake of The Falls has a dam height of 12 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 of The Falls last inspected?

Lake of The Falls was last inspected on October 8, 2015. 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.