Cedars Lock And Dam
Cedars Lock And Dam is a concrete dam located in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, built in 1934. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Cedars Lock And Dam
The primary purpose of Cedars Lock And Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Chicago District;wisconsin Dnr (federal). It impounds the Fox near Little Chute.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 699 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 341 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6,003 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/04/2025.
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 | Outagamie |
| Nearest City | Little Chute |
| River/Stream | Fox |
| Coordinates | 44.27890, -88.33263 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 699 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 341 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6,003 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 25,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Chicago District;Wisconsin DNR |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 08/04/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00852 |
| Federal ID | WI00852 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |