Lake Wingra

MURPHY'S CREEK· Dane, Wisconsin· Built 1930· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Wingra is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length25 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.6K acre-ft
Surface Area345 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDWI01067

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: September 18, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

City of Madison

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Wingra?

Lake Wingra 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 Wingra?

Lake Wingra is owned by City of Madison (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Wingra built?

Lake Wingra was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Wingra?

Lake Wingra 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 Wingra?

Lake Wingra has a dam height of 8 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 Wingra last inspected?

Lake Wingra was last inspected on September 18, 2019. 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.