Kilbourn Dam

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]

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