Squirrel Lake

Squirrel· Oneida, Wisconsin· Built 1908· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Flood Risk Reduction Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Squirrel Lake 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 7 ft (taller than 1% in WI)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage23.1K acre-ft
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge296 cfs
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDWI10688

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

Willow

Oneida, WI

High Hazard 35 ft

Minocqua

Oneida, WI

Low Hazard 9 ft

Lower Foulds Springs

Price, WI

Low Hazard 7 ft

Middle Mckinnsy

Price, WI

Low Hazard 8 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Squirrel Lake?

Squirrel 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 Squirrel Lake?

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

When was Squirrel Lake built?

Squirrel Lake 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 Squirrel Lake?

Squirrel Lake 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 Squirrel Lake?

Squirrel 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 Squirrel Lake last inspected?

Squirrel Lake 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.