Okauchee Lake

OCONOMOWOC· Waukesha, Wisconsin· Built 1961· Gravity· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Okauchee Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 55.3% in WI)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage15.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,187 acres
Drainage Area81 sq mi
Max Discharge1,589 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDWI00222

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: May 25, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

TOWN OF OCONOMOWOC

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Okauchee Lake?

Okauchee Lake 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 Okauchee Lake?

Okauchee Lake is owned by TOWN OF OCONOMOWOC (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Okauchee Lake built?

Okauchee Lake was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Okauchee Lake?

Okauchee Lake 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 Okauchee Lake?

Okauchee Lake has a dam height of 18 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 Okauchee Lake last inspected?

Okauchee Lake was last inspected on May 25, 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.