Neenah
Neenah is a gravity dam located in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, built in 1881. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Neenah
The primary purpose of Neenah is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Neenah Paper (private). It impounds the Fox R near Neenah.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 137,708 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,100,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6,124 square miles. Completed in 1881, 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 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 08/07/2020.
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 | Winnebago |
| Nearest City | Neenah |
| River/Stream | Fox R |
| Coordinates | 44.18611, -88.45643 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1881 (145 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,100,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,100,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 700,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 137,708 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6,124 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 24,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Neenah Paper |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/07/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00647 |
| Federal ID | WI00647 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |