West Fork Kickapoo 5

SEAS BRANCH W FORK KICKAPOO· Vernon, Wisconsin· Built 1968· Earth· 48 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

West Fork Kickapoo 5 is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 97.3% in WI)
Dam Length640 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage627 acre-ft
Normal Storage93 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge291 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDWI00420

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: May 11, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Vernon County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of West Fork Kickapoo 5?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 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 Fork Kickapoo 5?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 is owned by Vernon County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was West Fork Kickapoo 5 built?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Fork Kickapoo 5?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is West Fork Kickapoo 5?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 has a dam height of 48 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 Fork Kickapoo 5 last inspected?

West Fork Kickapoo 5 was last inspected on May 11, 2020. 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.