Upper Watertown
Upper Watertown is a buttress dam located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, built in 1909. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Watertown
The primary purpose of Upper Watertown 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 Rough & Ready Water Power Company, Inc (private). It impounds the Rock River near Watertown.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 278 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 64 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 720 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 970 square miles. Completed in 1909, 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 08/12/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Jefferson |
| Nearest City | Watertown |
| River/Stream | Rock River |
| Coordinates | 43.18548, -88.70535 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 278 ft |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 720 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 720 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 64 acres |
| Drainage Area | 970 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Rough & Ready Water Power Company, Inc |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00142 |
| Federal ID | WI00142 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |