Clam Falls is a gravity dam located in Polk County, Wisconsin, built in 1875. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 80 ft long, taller than 82% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Clam Falls
The primary purpose of Clam Falls 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 Polk County (local government). It impounds the Clam River near Clam Falls.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 80 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 127 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 65 square miles. Completed in 1875, 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 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 11/05/2019.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Polk |
| Nearest City | Clam Falls |
| River/Stream | Clam River |
| Coordinates | 45.68725, -92.29561 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 80 ft |
| Year Completed | 1875 (151 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 950 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 950 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 701 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 127 acres |
| Drainage Area | 65 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,380 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Polk County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/05/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00022 |
| Federal ID | WI00022 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |