Big Falls Milldam is a gravity dam located in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, built in 1926. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 30 ft30 ft tall and 256 ft long, taller than 68% 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 Big Falls Milldam
The primary purpose of Big Falls Milldam 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 Iowater Power Corporation (private). It impounds the Little Wolf near Big Falls.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 256 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 183 square miles. Completed in 1926, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 07/11/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Waupaca |
| Nearest City | Big Falls |
| River/Stream | Little Wolf |
| Coordinates | 44.61959, -89.01503 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 256 ft |
| Year Completed | 1926 (100 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 81 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Drainage Area | 183 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Iowater Power Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/11/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00031 |
| Federal ID | WI00031 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |