Merrill
Merrill is a gravity dam located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, built in 1913. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Merrill
The primary purpose of Merrill 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 Public Service Corporation (public utility). It impounds the Wisconsin River near Merrill.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 705 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 373 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 605 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,721 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 08/17/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Lincoln |
| Nearest City | Merrill |
| River/Stream | Wisconsin River |
| Coordinates | 45.17830, -89.68600 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 705 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 605 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 605 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 373 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,721 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 29,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/17/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00742 |
| Federal ID | WI00742 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |