Sand Lake

SAND CREEK· Sawyer, Wisconsin· Built 1950· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sand Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1% in WI)
Dam Length20 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage6.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.7K acre-ft
Surface Area928 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge104 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDWI01100

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: October 5, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sand Lake?

Sand 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 Sand Lake?

Sand Lake is owned by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sand Lake built?

Sand Lake was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Sand Lake?

Sand 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 Sand Lake?

Sand Lake has a dam height of 7 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 Sand Lake last inspected?

Sand Lake was last inspected on October 5, 2020. 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.