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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWisconsin
CountyPolk
Nearest CityAmery
River/StreamApple River
Coordinates45.30895, -92.35963

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height13 ft
Dam Height13 ft
Dam Length190 ft
Year Completed1888 (138 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage4,800 acre-ft
Max Storage4,800 acre-ft
Normal Storage3,500 acre-ft
Surface Area639 acres
Drainage Area134 sq mi
Max Discharge1,920 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCity Of Amery
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection04/23/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWI00172
Federal IDWI00172
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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