Amery
Amery is a gravity dam located in Polk County, Wisconsin, built in 1888. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Amery
The primary purpose of Amery is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Amery (local government). It impounds the Apple River near Amery.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 190 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 639 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 134 square miles. Completed in 1888, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 04/23/2021.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Wisconsin dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Polk |
| Nearest City | Amery |
| River/Stream | Apple River |
| Coordinates | 45.30895, -92.35963 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 190 ft |
| Year Completed | 1888 (138 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 639 acres |
| Drainage Area | 134 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,920 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City Of Amery |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/23/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00172 |
| Federal ID | WI00172 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |