Ladysmith is a gravity dam located in Rusk County, Wisconsin, built in 1908. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall and 570 ft long, taller than 62% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Ladysmith
The primary purpose of Ladysmith 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 Lake Superior Dist Pwr Co (public utility). It impounds the Flambeau near Ladysmith.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,940 square miles. Completed in 1908, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/07/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Rusk |
| Nearest City | Ladysmith |
| River/Stream | Flambeau |
| Coordinates | 45.46480, -91.08330 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 570 ft |
| Year Completed | 1908 (118 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,200 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 1,940 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 24,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Lake Superior Dist Pwr Co |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/07/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00791 |
| Federal ID | WI00791 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |