Rock Falls

Rock Creek· Dunn, Wisconsin· Built 1864· Gravity· 43 ft tall
High Hazard Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rock Falls is classified as high hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1864 and is 162 years old. 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 43 ft (taller than 94.9% in WI)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area32 sq mi
Max Discharge4,990 cfs
Year Completed1864 (162 years old)
NID IDWI00007

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: No
Last Inspection: August 7, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Town of Rock Creek

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rock Falls?

Rock Falls 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 Rock Falls?

Rock Falls is owned by Town of Rock Creek (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rock Falls built?

Rock Falls was completed in 1864, making it 162 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Rock Falls?

Rock Falls has a dam height of 43 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 Rock Falls last inspected?

Rock Falls was last inspected on August 7, 2008. 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.