Friendship Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 14, 2025

Friendship, located in Adams, Wisconsin, is a gravity dam completed in 1928 primarily for recreation purposes.


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Summary

With a structural height of 22 feet and a length of 400 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 681 acre-feet. The dam also serves as a hydroelectric facility, contributing to the local energy supply.

Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Friendship Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 12 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1700 cubic feet per second, mitigating flood risks in the region. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, emphasizing the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures.

Water and climate enthusiasts visiting Friendship can appreciate the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities while also recognizing its critical function in water storage and flood control. With a very high risk assessment ranking, efforts to ensure the dam's integrity and emergency preparedness are essential to safeguarding the surrounding community and natural resources. Friendship Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship in water resource management.

Year Completed

1928

Dam Length

400

Dam Height

22

Primary Dam Type

Gravity

Surface Area

114

Hydraulic Height

19

Drainage Area

60

Nid Storage

1000

Structural Height

22

Hazard Potential

Significant

Nid Height

22
       
Seasonal Comparison

Weather Forecast

Dam Data Reference

Condition Assessment

Satisfactory
No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
Fair
No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
Poor A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.
Unsatisfactory
A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
Not Rated
The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High
Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
Significant
Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
Low
Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
Undetermined
Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.