Lower Balsam Lake is a gravity dam located in Polk County, Wisconsin, built in 1860. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 38 ft38 ft tall and 220 ft long, taller than 84% 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 Lower Balsam Lake
The primary purpose of Lower Balsam Lake 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 Village of Balsam Lake (local government). It impounds the Balsam Branch near Balsam Lake.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,054 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 24 square miles. Completed in 1860, 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 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 07/15/2015. That was over 11 years ago.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Polk |
| Nearest City | Balsam Lake |
| River/Stream | Balsam Branch |
| Coordinates | 45.44837, -92.45026 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1860 (166 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 22,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 22,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 12,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,054 acres |
| Drainage Area | 24 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Village of Balsam Lake |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/15/2015 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00024 |
| Federal ID | WI00024 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |