Lake Shangri La

OUTLET OF LAKE SHANGRI LA· Kenosha, Wisconsin· Built 1927· Earth· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Shangri La is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 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 16 ft (taller than 48.8% in WI)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage650 acre-ft
Surface Area172 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge27 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDWI00147

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: October 20, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Village Of Bristol

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Shangri La?

Lake Shangri La 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 Shangri La?

Lake Shangri La is owned by Village Of Bristol (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Shangri La built?

Lake Shangri La was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Shangri La?

Lake Shangri La 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 Shangri La?

Lake Shangri La has a dam height of 16 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 Shangri La last inspected?

Lake Shangri La was last inspected on October 20, 2021. 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.