Kilbourn Dam

The Kilbourn Dam is a concrete hydroelectric dam on the Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is owned and operated by Alliant Energy.[2]

Kilbourn Dam
Kilbourn Dam is located in Wisconsin
Kilbourn Dam
Location in Wisconsin
LocationWisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Coordinates43.62672699°N 89.7812986°W / 43.62672699; -89.7812986
PurposePower
Construction beganDecember 1906
Opening dateAugust 1909
Operator(s)Alliant Energy
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsWisconsin River
Height61 ft (19 m)
Length560 ft (170 m) [1]
Reservoir
CreatesKilbourn Flowage
Total capacity36,000 acre⋅ft (0.044 km3)[1]
Power Station
Installed capacity10MW

History

The Kilbourn Dam was the first major hydroelectric station on the Wisconsin River.[3] It was named for its location in the city of Kilbourn, which changed its name to Wisconsin Dells in 1931. The dam was designed by Daniel W. Mead[4] and built from 1906 to 1909 by the Southern Wisconsin Power Company, led by Magnus Swenson of Madison, Wisconsin and Bates & Rogers Construction of Chicago.[3] The project was not initially profitable, leading the company to build the larger Prairie du Sac Dam downstream beginning in 1911.[4] Wisconsin Power and Light, the predecessor of Alliant Energy, purchased the Kilbourn Dam in 1917.[5]

The dam divided the Dells of the Wisconsin River into the Upper Dells and Lower Dells, obstructing river navigation between the two areas. The dam also raised the water level in the Upper Dells by around 17 feet (5.2 m), flooding popular caves and rock formations.[6] For this reason, landscape photographer H. H. Bennett vocally opposed the dam's construction.[7][8] Supporters of the dam have pointed to its benefits in generating renewable energy and maintaining an elevated water level for recreational boating.[3][9]

Further reading
  • Durbin, Richard D. (2008). The Kilbourn Dam : a tale of hopes, dreams, and schemes. Cross Plains, Wis.: Spring Freshet Press. ISBN 9780965855914.

References
  1. "National Inventory of Dams". nid.sec.usace.army.mil. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. "Hydro Energy". www.alliantenergy.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  3. Newman, Judy (29 July 2009). "An Old Dam Still Churning And The 100-Year-Old Kilbourn Dam Does More Than Just Provide Electricity". madison.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  4. Bernstein, Rick (2002-08-27). "Wisconsin Stories: The Power of Water". Wisconsin Stories. Wisconsin Public Television. Archived from the original on 13 December 2005.
  5. Steinke, Andy (31 July 2009). "Dells' Kilbourn Dam reaches 100 years". Wiscnews.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. "The Kilbourn Dam Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  7. James, Kay (21 May 2008). "Author describes schemes and intrigues behind dam". Wiscnews.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  8. Hoelscher, Steven (2008). Picturing Indians : photographic encounters and tourist fantasies in H. H. Bennett's Wisconsin Dells. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 136, 176. ISBN 978-0-299-22600-8.
  9. Hubbuch, Chris (14 Dec 2020). "As Wisconsin transitions to a cleaner grid, can the original renewable energy contribute?". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
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