Rice Lake
Rice Lake is a concrete dam located in Barron County, Wisconsin, built in 1864. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rice Lake
The primary purpose of Rice Lake is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Barron County (local government). It impounds the Red Cedar near Rice Lake.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 192 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 860 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,770 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 396 square miles. Completed in 1864, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/15/2020.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Wisconsin dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Barron |
| Nearest City | Rice Lake |
| River/Stream | Red Cedar |
| Coordinates | 45.49933, -91.73287 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 192 ft |
| Year Completed | 1864 (162 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,770 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,770 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 8,114 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 860 acres |
| Drainage Area | 396 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Barron County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/15/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00102 |
| Federal ID | WI00102 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |