Whitewater Lake

Inlet to Rice Lake· Walworth, Wisconsin· Built 1925· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Whitewater Lake is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 24.3% in WI)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage4.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.7K acre-ft
Surface Area640 acres
Drainage Area70 sq mi
Max Discharge200 cfs
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDWI00322

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 11, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Walworth County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whitewater Lake?

Whitewater 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 Whitewater Lake?

Whitewater Lake is owned by Walworth County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Whitewater Lake built?

Whitewater Lake was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Whitewater Lake?

Whitewater 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 Whitewater Lake?

Whitewater Lake has a dam height of 11 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 Whitewater Lake last inspected?

Whitewater Lake was last inspected on July 11, 2016. 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.