Oconto Falls Lower
Oconto Falls Lower is a rockfill dam located in Oconto County, Wisconsin, built in 1857. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Oconto Falls Lower
The primary purpose of Oconto Falls Lower 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 New Hydro, Inc (private). It impounds the Oconto River near Oconto Falls.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 425 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 51 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 759 square miles. Completed in 1857, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 08/06/2019.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Oconto |
| Nearest City | Oconto Falls |
| River/Stream | Oconto River |
| Coordinates | 44.87197, -88.14355 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 425 ft |
| Year Completed | 1857 (169 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 51 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 51 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 759 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | NEW Hydro, Inc |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/06/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00761 |
| Federal ID | WI00761 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |