Iron River Light and Power Co is an earth dam located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 29 ft29 ft tall and 400 ft long, taller than 65% 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 embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Iron River Light and Power Co
The primary purpose of Iron River Light and Power Co is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town of Iron River (local government). It impounds the Iron near Iron River.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 76 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,891 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1870, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/23/2018.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Bayfield |
| Nearest City | Iron River |
| River/Stream | Iron |
| Coordinates | 46.56632, -91.42403 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,891 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,891 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 76 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,215 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Iron River |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/23/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00033 |
| Federal ID | WI00033 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |