Rice
Rice is a gravity dam located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, built in 1912. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Rice
The primary purpose of Rice 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 Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (public utility). It impounds the Tomahawk River near Tomahawk.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 1,497 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 44,123 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 544 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century old.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/04/2022.
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 | Lincoln |
| Nearest City | Tomahawk |
| River/Stream | Tomahawk River |
| Coordinates | 45.53900, -89.74670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,497 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 44,123 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 44,123 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 544 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,726 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/04/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00741 |
| Federal ID | WI00741 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |