South Pelican

South Branch Pelican River· Oneida, Wisconsin· Built 1908· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Flood Risk Reduction Public Utility

Key Takeaway

South Pelican is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length549 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage49.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage42.9K acre-ft
Surface Area3,694 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge154 cfs
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDWI10689

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: No
Last Inspection: August 3, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Pelican?

South Pelican 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 South Pelican?

South Pelican is owned by Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Pelican built?

South Pelican was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 South Pelican?

South Pelican serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is South Pelican?

South Pelican 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 South Pelican last inspected?

South Pelican was last inspected on August 3, 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.