Oconomowoc Lake Dam (Oconomowoc Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Oconomowoc Lake
Other Name: DANFORTH
NID ID: WI01144
Longitude: -88.46946
Latitude: 43.10445
Map Section: S3, T7N, R17E
County: WAUKESHA
River: OUTLET OCONOMOWOC LAKE
State: WI
Nearest City: OCONOMOWOC
Distance: 1.00 miles
Owner Name: VILLAGE OF OCONOMOWOC LAKE
Owner Type: Local Government
Private Dam? No
Purposes: Recreation
Year Completed: 1899
Year Modified/Mod Type: 1939O
Dam Length: 60 feet
Structural Height: 7 feet
Hydraulic Height: 1 feet
Maximum Discharge: 1790 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 1810 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 5000 acre-feet
Surface Area: 721 acres
Drainage Area: 87 square miles
Hazard Potential: Significant
Emergency Action Plan? No
Inspection Date: 2005-05-02
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: WIDNR
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Federal Funding Agency: DANFORTH
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




Quick Links
Oconomowoc Lake News
Oconomowoc Lake Photos
Oconomowoc Lake Videos




About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Search Site
Advertise With Us
   
Oconomowoc.LakesOnline.com
THE OCONOMOWOC LAKE WEBSITE

Copyright 2024, Lakes Online
Privacy    |    Legal