Lower Power

Willow River· St. Croix, Wisconsin· Built 1866· Gravity· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Power is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1866 and is 160 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 64.9% in WI)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area270 acres
Drainage Area175 sq mi
Max Discharge15,900 cfs
Year Completed1866 (160 years old)
NID IDWI00187

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: April 6, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

City of Hudson

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Power?

Lower Power 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 Lower Power?

Lower Power is owned by City of Hudson (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Power built?

Lower Power was completed in 1866, making it 160 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 Lower Power?

Lower Power 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 Lower Power?

Lower Power has a dam height of 22 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 Lower Power last inspected?

Lower Power was last inspected on April 6, 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.