Wausau

Wisconsin River· Marathon, Wisconsin· Built 1930· Gravity· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Wausau is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 79.3% in WI)
Dam Length1,175 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.8K acre-ft
Surface Area304 acres
Drainage Area3,092 sq mi
Max Discharge102,000 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDWI00752

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 18, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wausau?

Wausau 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 Wausau?

Wausau is owned by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wausau built?

Wausau was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Wausau?

Wausau serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wausau?

Wausau has a dam height of 29 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 Wausau last inspected?

Wausau was last inspected on August 18, 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.