West Bend

MILWAUKEE· Washington, Wisconsin· Built 1846· Gravity· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

West Bend is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1846 and is 180 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 35.2% in WI)
Dam Length275 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage460 acre-ft
Normal Storage189 acre-ft
Surface Area67 acres
Drainage Area219 sq mi
Max Discharge4,160 cfs
Year Completed1846 (180 years old)
NID IDWI00326

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: September 13, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

CITY OF WEST BEND

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of West Bend?

West Bend 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 West Bend?

West Bend is owned by CITY OF WEST BEND (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was West Bend built?

West Bend was completed in 1846, making it 180 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 West Bend?

West Bend 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 West Bend?

West Bend has a dam height of 13 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 West Bend last inspected?

West Bend was last inspected on September 13, 2012. 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.