Lake Three Dam

SPRING BROOK· Ashland, Wisconsin· Built 1939· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Three Dam is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 53.1% in WI)
Dam Length320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage550 acre-ft
Normal Storage290 acre-ft
Surface Area63 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge170 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDWI00820

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: August 10, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Three Dam?

Lake Three Dam 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 Three Dam?

Lake Three Dam is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Three Dam built?

Lake Three Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Three Dam?

Lake Three Dam 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 Three Dam?

Lake Three Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Three Dam last inspected?

Lake Three Dam was last inspected on August 10, 2020. 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.