Dams in western Wisconsin

More than 300 current and former dams are found in the four western Wisconsin counties of Polk, St. Croix, Pierce and Pepin, according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources data examined by student journalists at UW-River Falls. The majority of these dams are on private land and out of sight of the public. And dozens more may be located in the region but not recorded by the DNR.

Students studied the dams as part of their work in JOUR 111, Introduction to Data Journalism, a spring semester 2023 course. The students were James Ackmann, Ethan Lay, Angel Riley, Greta Van Guilder and Erik Winberg. The course instructor was Associate Professor Andris Straumanis.

After sorting through the data and analyzing it, the student journalists wrote an overview, “Hundreds of dams dots western Wisconsin.”

KeyMapBuiltNext inspectionStatusOfficial nameCountySizeHazard?
22Map1920UnknownFERC and FERC Exempt DamJunction FallsPierceLargeSignificant
23Map19422026DamClam FallsPolkLargeSignificant
24Map19052024DamSaint Croix FallsPolkLargeHigh
25Map19162025DamLower Balsam LakePolkLargeSignificant
27Map1924RemovedWillow FallsSt. CroixLargeHigh
28Map1953UnknownFERC and FERC Exempt DamApple River FallsSt. CroixLargeSignificant
29Map1925RemovedMound PlantSt. CroixLargeHigh
51Map1917UnknownFERC and FERC Exempt DamBlack BrookPolkLargeLow
54Map19202023DamLittle FallsSt. CroixLargeHigh
55Map1905UnknownFERC and FERC Exempt DamRiverdaleSt. CroixLargeHigh
80Map19652023DamPowell FallsPierceLargeLow
156Map1950UnknownDamStraight River FlowagePolkLargeHigh
172Map19752023DamAmeryPolkLargeHigh
173Map19212023DamAtlas Feed MillPolkLargeSignificant
174Map1922RemovedRidlerPolkLargeLow
175Map19552029DamLewisPolkLargeLow
187Map19342031DamLower PowerSt. CroixLargeLow
188Map19252023DamNew Richmond MillsSt. CroixLargeHigh
281Map19632023DamBeaver Brook (Joel Flowage)PolkLargeLow
364Map19692025DamPlum Creek 12PepinLargeLow
365Map19592025DamLost Creek 3PepinLargeLow
366Map19592025DamLost Creek 4PepinLargeLow
367Map19592025DamLost Creek 5PepinLargeLow
368Map19632025DamBogus Creek 1PepinLargeLow
369Map19632025DamBogus Creek 2PepinLargeSignificant
370Map19682029DamPlum Creek 19PierceLargeLow
371Map19742031DamPlum Creek 3PierceLargeLow
372Map19732031DamPlum Creek 2PierceLargeHigh
373Map19652032DamBay City 1PierceLargeLow
383Map19702023DamGlen Hills 10St. CroixLargeHigh
384Map19662032DamGlen Hills 1St. CroixLargeLow
385Map19702031DamGlen Hills 2St. CroixLargeLow
386Map19702032DamGlen Hills 3St. CroixLargeLow
387Map19702032DamGlen Hills 11St. CroixLargeLow
388Map19742025DamGlen Hills 8St. CroixLargeSignificant
389Map19732024DamGlen Hills 7St. CroixLargeHigh
390Map19662023DamGlen Hills 5St. CroixLargeHigh
391Map19662024DamGlen Hills 4St. CroixLargeHigh
416Map19672032DamGodfrey LakePolkLargeLow
464Map19672031DamSkinaway LakePolkLargeLow
487Map19632020DamBohnPolkLargeLow
493Map1963RemovedJensenPolkLargeLow
504Map1970UnknownDamDon Dosch Wildlife FlowagePolkSmallLow
525Map19672030DamKallstrom Mercer GroupPepinLargeLow
526Map19622032DamHg Armbruster GroupPierceLargeLow
627Map19742032DamSitz,Thomas DPierceLargeLow
712Map19742025DamSticht, CraigPierceLargeLow
723Map1968UnknownDamEau GallePierceLargeHigh
807Map19782030DamMason Marcks Forsythe 1PepinLargeLow
808Map19782030DamMason Marcks Forsythe 2PepinLargeLow
811Map19752024DamGlen Hills 6St. CroixLargeHigh
845Map1965UnknownDamStraight Lake #3PolkSmallLow
853Map1976UnknownDamCoulsonPierceSmallLow
874Map1973UnknownDamSwenson, RogerPierceSmallLow
878MapUnknownRemovedSherwood RyanPolkLargeLow
902Map19732030DamBorgstrom-Erin Prairie TwnSt. CroixLargeLow
969Map1941RemovedUpper Balsam LakePolkLargeLow
975Map19732032DamHoikka, John G.PierceLargeLow
976Map19722030DamHaglund,DennisPierceLargeLow
983Map1972UnknownDamKemmerer,BernardPierceSmallSignificant
985Map1972UnknownDamRobey,Donovan No.2PierceSmallLow
986Map1972UnknownDamRobey,Donovan No.3PierceLargeLow
1044Map1973UnknownDamGillesPierceLargeLow
1073MapUnknown2030DamGuideraPolkLargeLow
1074MapUnknown2024DamBig Rock Creek FarmPolkLargeLow
1099Map1938UnknownDamLock & Dam No 3PierceLargeSignificant
1376Map1965UnknownDamDonald ButelPierceSmallLow
1377Map1970RemovedSpring ValleyPierceSmallSignificant
1378Map19302032DamKennedyPolkLargeLow
1379Map1938UnknownDamLower OsceolaPolkSmallSignificant
1380Map1959RemovedUpper OsceolaPolkSmallHigh
1381Map1938UnknownDamBig Lake MillPolkSmallLow
1382Map1934UnknownDamSucker LakePolkSmallSignificant
1383Map1950UnknownDamBig Butternut LakePolkSmallLow
1384Map1975UnknownDamHalf Moon LakePolkSmallLow
1385Map1967Unknown DamBig Bass LakePolkSmallLow
1386Map1928UnknownDamLargon LakePolkSmallLow
1387Map1940UnknownDamDeer LakePolkSmallLow
1388Map1959UnknownDamBig LakePolkSmallLow
1389Map1939Unknown DamHorseshoe Lake CanalPolkUnknownLow
1452Map1920UnknownDamCedar Lake Milling CompanySt. CroixSmallLow
1453Map1950UnknownDamTrout BrookSt. CroixUnknownLow
1649Map1978UnknownDamIckler, RobertSt. CroixSmallLow
1677Map1977UnknownDamCernohous Detent. Lower BasinPierceSmallLow
1919Map1965UnknownDamJensen,RaymondPolkSmallLow
2049Map1975UnknownDamAchenback & VradenburgPepinSmallLow
2050Map1975UnknownDamAnderson No.1PepinSmallLow
2051Map1976UnknownDamAnderson No.2PepinSmallLow
2053Map1975UnknownDamBergmark, John No.1PepinSmallLow
2054Map1976UnknownDamBergmark, John No.2PepinSmallLow
2055Map1976UnknownDamBergmark, Harry No.1PepinUnknownLow
2056Map1974UnknownDamBergmark, Harry No.2PepinSmallLow
2057Map1976UnknownDamBerquist, LeonardPepinSmallLow
2058Map1975UnknownDamBlack, BrycePepinSmallLow
2059Map1974UnknownDamBrenner, BernardPepinSmallLow
2060Map1976UnknownDamBrenner, LawrencePepinSmallLow
2061Map1976UnknownDamDrier, ThomasPepinSmallLow
2062Map1976UnknownDamDurand Golf Course No.1PepinSmallLow
2063Map1976UnknownDamDurand Golf Course No.2PepinUnknownLow
2064Map1976UnknownDamDurand Golf Course No.3PepinSmallLow
2065Map1976UnknownDamDurand Golf Course No.4PepinSmallLow
2066Map1974UnknownDamEdlin No.1PepinSmallLow
2067Map1974UnknownDamEdlin No.2PepinSmallLow
2068Map1975UnknownDamHince, VernonPepinSmallLow
2069Map1976UnknownDamHuppert, RonaldPepinSmallLow
2070Map1975UnknownDamJahnke, Dennis W.PepinSmallLow
2071Map1977UnknownDamKamrath, ErniePepinSmallLow
2072Map1975UnknownDamKessling, G.W.PepinSmallLow
2073Map1974UnknownDamKlein, Thomas No. 1PepinSmallLow
2074Map1975UnknownDamLarkin, JamesPepinSmallLow
2075Map1974UnknownDamLaschinger, RobertPepinSmallLow
2076Map1974UnknownDamLawson, JohnPepinSmallLow
2077Map1974UnknownDamManore, Darrel No.1PepinUnknownLow
2078Map1975UnknownDamManore, Darrel No.2PepinSmallLow
2079Map1974UnknownDamNelson,MillardPepinSmallLow
2080Map1974UnknownDamPeters, JasonPepinSmallLow
2081Map1976UnknownDamSchuh, VictorPepinSmallLow
2082Map1976UnknownDamSpindler, EdwardPepinSmallLow
2083Map1976UnknownDamKlein,Thomas No.2PepinSmallLow
2084Map1976UnknownDamWallin, Ralph No.1PepinSmallLow
2085Map1976UnknownDamWallin, Ralph No.2PepinSmallLow
2086Map1975UnknownDamWebber, HenryPepinSmallLow
2087Map1974UnknownDamWeber, WilliamPepinSmallLow
2088Map1974UnknownDamWestberg, Dennis No.1PepinSmallLow
2089Map1975UnknownDamWestberg, Dennis No.2PepinSmallLow
2090Map1974UnknownDamWestberg, JamesPepinSmallLow
2091Map1976UnknownDamBaier, DonaldPierceSmallLow
2092Map1977UnknownDamBauer,Harold CPierceSmallLow
2093Map1968UnknownDamGansluckner, BrunoPierceUnknownLow
2094Map1976UnknownDamCrownhardt, JamesPierceSmallLow
2095Map1977UnknownDamGersmehl,DalePierceSmallLow
2096MapUnknownUnknownDamKemmerer,JohnPierceSmallLow
2097Map1968UnknownDamKinneman,RoyPierceSmallLow
2098Map1974UnknownDamKrings, JamesPierceSmallLow
2099Map1975UnknownDamLarson, BernardPierceSmallLow
2100Map1977UnknownDamLarson,LloydPierceSmallLow
2101Map1977UnknownDamLarson, LylePierceSmallLow
2102Map1975UnknownDamLarson, LylePierceSmallLow
2103Map1970UnknownDamMatzek,NormanPierceSmallLow
2104Map1974UnknownDamMccormack, LawrencePierceSmallLow
2105Map1972UnknownDamMcDonough Sr, WaynePierceSmallLow
2106Map1977UnknownDamMost. GeorgePierceSmallLow
2107Map1972UnknownDamNeiderhauser, WillardPierceSmallLow
2108Map1976UnknownDamNelson, GlennPierceSmallLow
2109Map1977UnknownDamPlace, Ted Jr. 3PierceSmallLow
2110Map1977UnknownDamPowers, BrucePierceSmallLow
2111Map1977UnknownDamSarnstrom, DalePierceSmallLow
2112Map1977UnknownDamShommer,RichardPierceSmallLow
2114Map1968UnknownDamWood, VincentPierceSmallLow
2115Map1965UnknownDamStraight Lake #2PolkSmallLow
2158Map1976UnknownDamBauer, DanielSt. CroixSmallLow
2159Map1974UnknownDamBethke, ChrisSt. CroixSmallLow
2160Map1949UnknownDamCedar LakeSt. CroixSmallLow
2161Map1976UnknownDamDay, HerbertSt. CroixSmallLow
2162Map1969UnknownDamDerrick, LorenSt. CroixUnknownLow
2163Map1974UnknownDamDunn, DouglasSt. CroixSmallLow
2164Map1976UnknownDamFreeman, DonaldSt. CroixSmallLow
2165Map1975UnknownDamGarbe, CharlesSt. CroixSmallLow
2166Map1974UnknownDamGeiger, GeneSt. CroixSmallLow
2167Map1974UnknownDamSchutts, LeeSt. CroixSmallLow
2168Map1967UnknownDamSullwold, ThomasSt. CroixSmallLow
2169Map1967UnknownDamVorwald, RaymondSt. CroixSmallLow
2170Map1975UnknownDamWilliams, OwenSt. CroixUnknownLow
2401Map1970UnknownDamAndersen, Elmer Pond No 1PolkSmallLow
2402Map1970UnknownDamAndersen, Elmer Pond No 2PolkSmallLow
2660Map1973UnknownDamLewis, James M.PepinSmallLow
2661Map1973UnknownDamWestberg,DennisPepinSmallLow
2662Map1973UnknownDamWicklund,HowardPepinSmallLow
2663Map1973UnknownDamWinberg, DeanPepinSmallLow
2664Map1973UnknownDamBates,BernardPierceSmallLow
2665Map1972UnknownDamCrownhart, R.W.PierceSmallLow
2666Map1972Unknown DamDosdall, AlbertPierceSmallLow
2667Map1973UnknownDamGilles,AlfredPierceSmallLow
2668Map1972Unknown DamGlampe,IrvinPierceSmallLow
2669Map1972UnknownDamHerbison, JamesPierceSmallLow
2670Map1972UnknownDamHines,EldonPierceSmallLow
2671Map1972UnknownDamKnutson, KennethPierceSmallLow
2672Map1973UnknownDamLanger,LawrencePierceSmallLow
2673Map1973UnknownDamLarson, LylePierceSmallLow
2674Map1973UnknownDamLantz, George W.PierceSmallLow
2675Map1973UnknownDamLundgren,LavernPierceSmallLow
2676Map1972UnknownDamMulheron, ClairPierceSmallLow
2677Map1972Unknown DamO'Connell,VincentPierceSmallLow
2678Map1973UnknownDamPlumbo,PhillipPierceSmallLow
2679Map1972Unknown DamRadkey,GeraldPierceSmallLow
2680Map1973UnknownDamRichardson, Robert J.PierceSmallLow
2681Map1972UnknownDamRobey,DonovanPierceSmallLow
2682Map1972UnknownDamSagstetter,AmbrosePierceSmallLow
2683Map1973UnknownDamSpindler, HubertPierceSmallLow
2684Map1973UnknownDamVan Duren,Kenneth D.PierceSmallLow
2685Map1973UnknownDamWittig,JoePierceSmallLow
2824Map1970UnknownDamKnops, JohnSt. CroixSmallLow
2825Map1973UnknownDamMartinek,Richard No.1St. CroixSmallLow
2826Map1973UnknownDamMartinek, Richard No.2St. CroixUnknownLow
2827Map1973UnknownDamMartinek, Richard No.3St. CroixSmallLow
2828Map1973UnknownDamMartinek, Richard No.4St. CroixSmallLow
2829Map1973UnknownDamMelby, Dr.Neal A.St. CroixSmallLow
2830Map1973UnknownDamMello,Robert L.St. CroixSmallLow
2831Map1972UnknownDamNielsen,MerleSt. CroixSmallLow
2832Map1973UnknownDamRoberts JeffSt. CroixSmallLow
2833Map1972UnknownDamSwenson, Duane E.St. CroixSmallLow
2977Map1973UnknownDamLabrec,JamesPepinSmallLow
2978Map1967UnknownDamNelson, MillardPierceUnknownLow
2979Map1961UnknownDamBay City 10PierceSmallLow
2980Map1961UnknownDamBay City 3PierceSmallLow
2981Map1961UnknownDamBay City 2PierceSmallLow
2982Map1967UnknownDamGagnier,DennisPierceUnknownLow
2983Map1967UnknownDamBeskar,Norman J.PierceUnknownLow
2984Map1967UnknownDamKing,EdwardPierceSmallLow
2985Map1967UnknownDamHoffman,LowellPierceSmallLow
2986Map1967UnknownDamKoehler,DavidPierceSmallLow
2986Map1967UnknownDamKoehler,DavidPierceSmallLow
2987Map1967UnknownDamSorensen,NormanPierceSmallLow
2988Map1967UnknownDamPoston,RogerPierceSmallLow
2989Map1973UnknownDamHoscheit,EarlPierceSmallLow
2990Map1973UnknownDamJohnson,LeroyPierceSmallLow
2991Map1977UnknownDamPeer, ArnoldPolkSmallLow
2992Map1965UnknownDamReynolds,NealPolkSmallLow
3012Map1967UnknownDamFaber, WalterSt. CroixSmallLow
3013Map1967UnknownDamLarson,HarveySt. CroixSmallLow
3014Map1967UnknownDamPeterson, DarrellSt. CroixUnknownLow
3015Map1967UnknownDamWert,DarrelSt. CroixSmallLow
3016Map1967UnknownDamSmith,ErnestSt. CroixSmallLow
3466Map1958Unknown DamHorseshoe Lake DiversionPolkUnknownLow
3467Map1943UnknownDamHorseshoe Lake ControlPolkUnknownLow
3531MapUnknownRemovedFish HatcheryPolkUnknownLow
3612Map1993UnknownDamHanson, ByronPolkSmallLow
3803MapUnknownRemovedFish Hatchery-LowerPolkUnknownLow
3804MapUnknownUnknownDamLeberSt. CroixUnknownLow
3828MapUnknown2032DamFoerstPolkLargeLow
4239Map1870RemovedArkansas Grist MillPepinUnknownLow
4240Map1868RemovedUnknownPepinUnknownLow
4241MapUnknownUnknownDamHicks ValleyPepinUnknownLow
4242Map1875RemovedParker'sPepinUnknownLow
4243Map1866RemovedDarwin'sPepinUnknownLow
4259Map1855RemovedLower Dam At MartelPierceUnknownLow
4260MapUnknownRemovedEl Paso Grist MillPierceUnknownLow
4261Map1850RemovedForest MillPierceUnknownLow
4262Map1908RemovedRush River PowerPierceUnknownLow
4263Map1854RemovedTrimbellePierceUnknownLow
4264Map1850RemovedMartelPierceUnknownLow
4265Map1867RemovedWolf Creek Roller MillsPolkUnknownLow
4266Map1856RemovedGreenwoodPierceUnknownLow
4267Map1868RemovedCascadePierceUnknownLow
4268Map1867RemovedCliftonPierceUnknownLow
4269Map1870UnknownDamFlour MillPolkUnknownLow
4270Map1885RemovedLundeenPolkUnknownLow
4276Map1885RemovedOld GrihmsPolkUnknownLow
4277MapUnknownUnknownDamRound LakePolkUnknownLow
4278MapUnknownRemovedOsceolaPolkUnknownLow
4279Map1885UnknownDamWoolen MillPolkUnknownLow
4312MapUnknownRemovedJewettSt. CroixUnknownLow
4313Map1891RemovedUpper BurkhardtSt. CroixUnknownLow
4314Map1854RemovedPrairie MillsSt. CroixUnknownLow
4315Map1850RemovedSomersetSt. CroixUnknownLow
4542Map1976UnknownDamSticht APierceUnknownLow
4545Map1889RemovedNeversPolkUnknownLow
4548Map20182028DamBlake LakePolkLargeLow
4549Map1903RemovedHuntingtonSt. CroixUnknownLow
4550Map1913RemovedMc ClureSt. CroixUnknownLow
4552Map1855UnknownDamStar PrairieSt. CroixUnknownLow
4621Map1997UnknownDamWebsterSt. CroixSmallLow
4622Map1997UnknownDamAveda CorpPolkSmallLow
4623Map1997UnknownDamRicheyPolkSmallLow
4631Map1996UnknownDamLeberSt. CroixSmallLow
4648Map1995UnknownDamChenal Pond 1PolkSmallLow
4649Map1995UnknownDamChenal Pond 2PolkSmallLow
4650Map1995UnknownDamJohnsonPolkSmallLow
4652Map1995UnknownDamYorkSt. CroixSmallLow
4690MapUnknown2023DamJoel Marsh WLAPolkLargeLow
4701MapUnknownUnknownDamClausen Pond 1PolkSmallLow
4702MapUnknownUnknownDamFellandPolkSmallLow
4703MapUnknownUnknownDamClausen Pond 2PolkSmallLow
4704MapUnknownUnknownDamKemisPolkSmallLow
4705MapUnknownUnknownDamKing Pond 1PolkSmallLow
4706MapUnknownUnknownDamKing Pond 2PolkSmallLow
4707MapUnknownUnknownDamKing Pond 4PolkSmallLow
4708MapUnknownUnknownDamKing Pond 6PolkSmallLow
4709MapUnknownUnknownDamKing Pond 7PolkSmallLow
4727MapUnknownUnknownDamBaumgartnerSt. CroixSmallLow
4764MapUnknownUnknownDamGrahamSt. CroixSmallLow
5489MapUnknownUnknownDamPaul CaseySt. CroixUnknownLow
5626MapUnknownUnknownDamPrairie Flats Unit 1St. CroixSmallLow
5627Map2003UnknownDamPrairie Flats Unit 3St. CroixSmallLow
5628MapUnknownUnknownDamBauer, JamesPepinSmallLow
5629MapUknownUnknownDamBauer, DanielSt. CroixUnknownLow
5633MapUnknownUnknownDamLarry WebbPierceSmallLow
5704MapUnknownUnknownDamVilstrupPolkSmallLow
5868MapUnknownUnknownDamTim WilsonPolkSmallLow
5872MapUnknownUnknownDamStraight Lake #1PolkSmallLow
6007MapUnknownUnknownDamWilliamson/BengstonPolkSmallLow
6017MapUnknownUnknownDamDerosier #1PolkSmallLow
6018Map2010UnknownDamDerosier 2PolkSmallLow
6020Map2010UnknownDamCain #1PolkSmallLow
6021Map2010UnknownDamCain #2PolkSmallLow
6022Map2010UnknownDamScott Jensen #1PolkSmallLow
6023Map2010UnknownDamScott Jensen #2PolkSmallLow
6024Map2010UnknownDamScott Jensen #3PolkSmallLow
6025Map2010UnknownDamScott Jensen #4PolkSmallLow
6032Map2010UnknownDamMorel/Gould 1PolkSmallLow
6033Map2010UnknownDamMorel/Gould 2PolkSmallLow
6034Map2010UnknownDamMorel/Gould 3PolkSmallLow
6035Map2010UnknownDamJohn Property WetlandsPolkSmallLow
6036Map2010UnknownDamJohn Property WetlandsPolkSmallLow
6038Map2009UnknownDamDietz WetlandPolkSmallLow
6039Map2010UnknownDamPaul SokolPolkSmallLow
6041Map2010UnknownDamRandy CaudyPolkSmallLow
6044MapUnknownUnknownDamStraight Lake Swa-Horsebarn 3PolkSmallLow
6045Map2010UnknownDamStraight Lk.-Swa-Horsebarn P1PolkSmallLow
6047Map2010UnknownDamStraight Lk.-Swa-Horsebarn P3PolkSmallLow
6048Map2010UnknownDamStraight Lk.-Swa-Horsebarn P4PolkSmallLow
6061Map2009UnknownDamStraight Lake Swa East #1PolkSmallLow
6109MapUnknownUnknownDamStraight Lake Boy ScoutPolkSmallLow
6181MapUnknownUnknownDamSchoenwetter WildlifeSt. CroixSmallLow
6190MapUnknownUnknownDamGibsonPepinSmallLow
6240MapUnknownUnknownDamEaton Dam PierceSmallLow
In the table, Key refers the unique dam key sequence number used in the DNR's registry of dams; Map links to a Google Map; Built is the year of the dam's construction; Next inspection refers to the next inspection as reported in the DNR database; Status shows whether a dam is in place or has been removed; Official name is the formal name of the dam, which may not be the same as the popular name; County shows the county in which the dam is located; Size shows whether the dam is small or large; and Hazard? identifies whether the dam could pose a low, significant or high risk if it were to fail.
Powell Falls Dam

The Powell Falls dam is one of two on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls. The city plans to remove it by 2026. (Photo by Andris Straumanis)