Lewis

Knapp Creek· Polk, Wisconsin· Built 1931· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lewis is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 48.8% in WI)
Dam Length50 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage130 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge757 cfs
Year Completed1931 (95 years old)
NID IDWI00175

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: September 25, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Nelson, Scott

Private

Nearby Dams

Godfrey Lake

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 13 ft

Jensen

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 16 ft

Clam Falls

Polk, WI

Significant Hazard 36 ft

Dahl-Merkley

Burnett, WI

Low Hazard 15 ft

Bohn

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 12 ft

Guidera

Polk, WI

Low Hazard 20 ft

Clam Lake

Burnett, WI

Low Hazard 10 ft

Amsterdam Slough

Burnett, WI

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lewis?

Lewis 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 Lewis?

Lewis is owned by Nelson, Scott (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lewis built?

Lewis was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Lewis?

Lewis 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 Lewis?

Lewis 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 Lewis last inspected?

Lewis was last inspected on September 25, 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.