Black River Falls
Black River Falls is a gravity dam located in Jackson County, Wisconsin, built in 1912. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Black River Falls
The primary purpose of Black River 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 Black River Falls, City Of (local government). It impounds the Black River near Black River Falls.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 843 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 198 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,270 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,470 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century old.
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 08/28/2018.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Jackson |
| Nearest City | Black River Falls |
| River/Stream | Black River |
| Coordinates | 44.29700, -90.84500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 843 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,270 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,270 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,980 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 198 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,470 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 50,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Black River Falls, City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/28/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00043 |
| Federal ID | WI00043 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |