Upper White River

WEST BRANCH WHITE· Waushara, Wisconsin· Built 1923· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper White River is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 60.1% in WI)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage880 acre-ft
Normal Storage620 acre-ft
Surface Area64 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge260 cfs
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)
NID IDWI00233

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: July 16, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

White River Lake District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper White River?

Upper White River 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 White River?

Upper White River is owned by White River Lake District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper White River built?

Upper White River was completed in 1923, making it 103 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 White River?

Upper White River 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 White River?

Upper White River has a dam height of 20 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 Upper White River last inspected?

Upper White River was last inspected on July 16, 2019. 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.