Upper Beaver Dam
Upper Beaver Dam is an earth dam located in Dodge County, Wisconsin, built in 1840. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Beaver Dam
The primary purpose of Upper Beaver Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Beaver Dam (local government). It impounds the Beaver Dam River near Beaver Dam.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6,542 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 57,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 157 square miles. Completed in 1840, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/20/2021.
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 | Dodge |
| Nearest City | Beaver Dam |
| River/Stream | Beaver Dam River |
| Coordinates | 43.45435, -88.84332 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 57,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 57,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30,677 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6,542 acres |
| Drainage Area | 157 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 750 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City Of Beaver Dam |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/20/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00119 |
| Federal ID | WI00119 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |