Leigh Lake
Leigh Lake is a gravity dam located in Oconto County, Wisconsin, built in 1935. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Leigh Lake
The primary purpose of Leigh Lake is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Oconto County (local government). It impounds the Messenger Creek.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 130 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 231 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,720 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/25/2021.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Oconto |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Messenger Creek |
| Coordinates | 45.04877, -88.22016 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 130 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,720 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,720 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,080 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 231 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 870 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Oconto County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/25/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00049 |
| Federal ID | WI00049 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |