Bischel

Bischel is a gravity dam located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, built in 1850. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Bischel

The primary purpose of Bischel is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Ottawa (local government). It impounds the Upper Scuppernong Cr near Dousman.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1850, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 07/31/2015. That was over 10 years ago.

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Low HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWisconsin
CountyWaukesha
Nearest CityDousman
River/StreamUpper Scuppernong Cr
Coordinates42.99706, -88.47814

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height12 ft
Dam Height12 ft
Dam Length250 ft
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage80 acre-ft
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage37 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge630 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTown Of Ottawa
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection07/31/2015
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWI00330
Federal IDWI00330
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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