Turtle Lake

TURTLE RIVER· Vilas, Wisconsin· Built 1948· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Turtle Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length75 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage6.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage825 acre-ft
Surface Area823 acres
Drainage Area25 sq mi
Max Discharge610 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDWI00681

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 11, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Town of Winchester

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Turtle Lake?

Turtle 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 Turtle Lake?

Turtle Lake is owned by Town of Winchester (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Turtle Lake built?

Turtle Lake was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Turtle Lake?

Turtle 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 Turtle Lake?

Turtle 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 Turtle Lake last inspected?

Turtle Lake was last inspected on October 11, 2013. 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.