South Pelican
South Pelican is a gravity dam located in Oneida County, Wisconsin, built in 1908. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About South Pelican
The primary purpose of South Pelican 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 Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (public utility). It impounds the South Branch Pelican River near Rhinelander.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 549 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,694 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 49,931 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22 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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/03/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Oneida |
| Nearest City | Rhinelander |
| River/Stream | South Branch Pelican River |
| Coordinates | 45.52660, -89.20650 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 549 ft |
| Year Completed | 1908 (118 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 49,931 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 49,931 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 42,860 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,694 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 154 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI10689 |
| Federal ID | WI10689 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |