School Section Lake

U/N Tributary to Bark R.· Waukesha, Wisconsin· Built 1937· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

School Section Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length2,900 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage700 acre-ft
Normal Storage230 acre-ft
Surface Area117 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,170 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDWI01142

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: June 30, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Waukesha County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of School Section Lake?

School Section 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 School Section Lake?

School Section Lake is owned by Waukesha County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was School Section Lake built?

School Section Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 School Section Lake?

School Section Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is School Section Lake?

School Section Lake has a dam height of 8 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 School Section Lake last inspected?

School Section Lake was last inspected on June 30, 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.