Lake Redstone

Big Creek· Sauk, Wisconsin· Built 1967· Gravity· 50 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Redstone is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 97.5% in WI)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage15.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.7K acre-ft
Surface Area612 acres
Drainage Area30 sq mi
Max Discharge3,800 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDWI00707

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 19, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Sauk County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Redstone?

Lake Redstone is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Redstone?

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

When was Lake Redstone built?

Lake Redstone was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Redstone?

Lake Redstone 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 Redstone?

Lake Redstone has a dam height of 50 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 Redstone last inspected?

Lake Redstone was last inspected on July 19, 2022. 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.