Lauderdale Lakes

Honey Creek· Walworth, Wisconsin· Built 1840· Gravity· 14 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lauderdale Lakes is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1840 and is 186 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 14 ft (taller than 40.1% in WI)
Dam Length425 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage7.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.5K acre-ft
Surface Area834 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge170 cfs
Year Completed1840 (186 years old)
NID IDWI00212

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: June 16, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lauderdale Lakes?

Lauderdale Lakes 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 Lauderdale Lakes?

Lauderdale Lakes is owned by Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lauderdale Lakes built?

Lauderdale Lakes was completed in 1840, making it 186 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 Lauderdale Lakes?

Lauderdale Lakes 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 Lauderdale Lakes?

Lauderdale Lakes has a dam height of 14 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 Lauderdale Lakes last inspected?

Lauderdale Lakes was last inspected on June 16, 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.