Furnace Bridge

Furnace Bridge is a gravity dam located in Dodge County, Wisconsin, built in 1848. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Furnace Bridge

The primary purpose of Furnace Bridge is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Mayville (local government). It impounds the East Branch Rock near Mayville.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 172 square miles. Completed in 1848, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/19/2021.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWisconsin
CountyDodge
Nearest CityMayville
River/StreamEast Branch Rock
Coordinates43.50678, -88.54163

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height14 ft
Dam Height14 ft
Dam Length180 ft
Year Completed1848 (178 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage140 acre-ft
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Normal Storage68 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area172 sq mi
Max Discharge3,413 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCity of Mayville
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/19/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWI00121
Federal IDWI00121
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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