Centralia is a gravity dam located in Wood County, Wisconsin, built in 1887. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 30 ft30 ft tall and 1,325 ft long, taller than 68% 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 Centralia
The primary purpose of Centralia 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 Domtar Wisconsin Dam Corp (private). It impounds the Wisconsin River near Port Edwards.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 250 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5,400 square miles. Completed in 1887, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 09/24/2019.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Wood |
| Nearest City | Port Edwards |
| River/Stream | Wisconsin River |
| Coordinates | 44.36830, -89.85670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,325 ft |
| Year Completed | 1887 (139 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,950 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,950 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,950 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 250 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5,400 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 36,030 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Domtar Wisconsin Dam Corp |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/24/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00816 |
| Federal ID | WI00816 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |