Virginia Lake

U/N TRIB TO COPPER CREEK· Sauk, Wisconsin· Built 1971· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Virginia Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 63.7% in WI)
Dam Length1,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage450 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,300 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDWI00892

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 20, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Lake Virginia Management District

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Virginia Lake?

Virginia 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 Virginia Lake?

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

When was Virginia Lake built?

Virginia Lake was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Virginia Lake?

Virginia 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 Virginia Lake?

Virginia Lake has a dam height of 21 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 Virginia Lake last inspected?

Virginia Lake was last inspected on October 20, 2011. 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.