List of dams and reservoirs in Wisconsin facts for kids
Dams are like giant walls built across rivers to hold back water. This creates a large lake, called a reservoir. In Wisconsin, there are many dams and reservoirs that help us in different ways. Some dams create electricity, while others help control floods or store water for drinking and farming. A "major dam" is usually very tall (about 50 feet or more) or can hold a lot of water (like 5,000 football fields covered in one foot of water!).
What are Dams and Reservoirs?
Dams are structures that block the flow of a river or stream. This creates a lake behind the dam, which is called a reservoir. Reservoirs are important because they can store huge amounts of water.
Why Do We Build Dams?
People build dams for many reasons:
- Making Electricity: Many dams in Wisconsin are hydroelectric dams. This means they use the force of falling water to spin turbines and create clean electricity.
- Controlling Floods: Dams can hold back extra water during heavy rains. This helps prevent floods downstream and protects homes and farms.
- Storing Water: Reservoirs store water for when it's needed. This water can be used for drinking, watering crops, or for factories.
- Recreation: The lakes created by dams are great for fun activities like boating, fishing, and swimming!
Important Dams in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has many dams, including some on the mighty Mississippi River. Here are a few notable ones:
- Mississippi River Dams: Several dams on the Mississippi River are shared between Wisconsin and neighboring states like Minnesota and Iowa. These include Lock and Dam No. 3, Lock and Dam No. 4, Lock and Dam No. 5, Lock and Dam No. 5A, Lock and Dam No. 6, Lock and Dam No. 7 (on Lake Onalaska), Lock and Dam No. 8, Lock and Dam No. 9 (on Lake Winneshiek), and Lock and Dam No. 11. These dams help boats travel safely along the river.
An aerial view of Lock and Dam No. 8 on the Mississippi River.
- Alexander Dam: This dam is on Alexander Lake and is managed by Wisconsin Public Service Corp.
- Altoona 2WP340 Dam: Located on Lake Altoona in Eau Claire County.
- Big Eau Pleine Dam: This dam creates the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir and is managed by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company.
- Castle Rock Dam: A very important dam that forms Castle Rock Lake on the Wisconsin River. It's operated by the Wisconsin River Power Company.
- Cedar Falls Dam: This dam is on Tainter Lake and helps produce power for Xcel Energy.
- Chippewa Falls Dam: Located on the Chippewa River, this dam also generates power for Xcel Energy.
- DuBay Dam: This dam creates Lake DuBay on the Wisconsin River.
- High Falls Dam: Found on the High Falls Reservoir, it's managed by Wisconsin Public Service Co.
- Holcombe Dam: This dam creates the large Holcombe Flowage and is operated by Xcel Energy.
- Indianford Dam: This dam is on Lake Koshkonong in Rock County.
- Jim Falls Dam: There are two parts to this dam on the Chippewa River that create Old Abe Lake. One part is for overflow, and the other is a hydroelectric dam run by Xcel Energy.
- Kilbourn Dam: This dam is located in the famous Dells of the Wisconsin River and is managed by Alliant Energy.
- Menomonie Dam: This dam creates Lake Menomin and is operated by Xcel Energy.
- Mondeaux Dam: This dam is part of the beautiful Mondeaux Dam Recreation Area in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
- Petenwell Dam: Another major dam that creates Petenwell Lake on the Wisconsin River, also managed by the Wisconsin River Power Company.
- Prairie du Sac Dam: This dam forms Lake Wisconsin and is operated by Alliant Energy.
- Rainbow Dam: Located on the Rainbow Flowage, this dam is managed by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company.
- St. Croix Falls Dam: This dam is on the St. Croix River (Wisconsin–Minnesota) and generates power for Xcel Energy.
- Tomahawk Dam: This dam creates Lake Mohawksin on the Wisconsin River and is run by Wisconsin Public Service Co.
- Trego Dam: Found on Trego Lake on the Namekagon River, it's operated by Xcel Energy.
- Turtle Dam: This dam creates the large Turtle-Flambeau Flowage on the North Fork of the Flambeau River and is managed by Xcel Energy.
- Winter Dam: This dam creates Lake Chippewa (Wisconsin) on the Chippewa River and is operated by Xcel Energy.
- Wissota Dam: This dam forms Lake Wissota and is also managed by Xcel Energy.
See also
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
List of dams and reservoirs in Wisconsin Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.