Upper Horicon

MAIN DITCH· Dodge, Wisconsin· Built 1945· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Horicon is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.5% in WI)
Dam Length21,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area320 acres
Drainage Area220 sq mi
Max Discharge1,470 cfs
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDWI00829

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
State Regulated: No

Ownership

U.S. Department of the Interior

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Horicon?

Upper Horicon 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 Upper Horicon?

Upper Horicon is owned by U.S. Department of the Interior (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Horicon built?

Upper Horicon was completed in 1945, making it 81 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 Upper Horicon?

Upper Horicon 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 Upper Horicon?

Upper Horicon 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.

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.