Wisconsin

Wisconsin dams are failing more frequently, a new report finds

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2024

Wisconsin dams are failing more frequently, a new report finds

(AP/WSAW) – Wisconsin is seeing more frequent dam failures, another sign that the storms blowing through the state are getting stronger.

Wisconsin recorded 34 dam failures from 2000 through 2023, the second-highest total for that period behind only South Carolina, according to a Wisconsin Policy Form report.

More than 80% of the failures — 28, to be exact — happened since the start of 2018 and 18 of those happened since the start of 2020. None of the failures resulted in human deaths, the report found.

The state is home to more than 4,000 dams. Some are massive hydroelectric constructs while others are small earthen dams that create farm ponds. They’re owned by a mix of companies, individuals, government and tribal entities, and utilities.

NewsChannel 7 found that the owner of each dam is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and overall function of it.

Additionally, all dams are required to have an emergency management plan if the dam collapses. Wisconsin Public Service has engineers who check out their dams frequently to make sure they can get to any problems faster.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Inventory of Dams lists 1,004 Wisconsin dams ranging in height from 6 feet (nearly 2 meters) to the 92-foot-tall (28-meter-tall) Flambeau dam on the Dairyland Reservoir in Rusk County.

The inventory classifies more than 200 dams as having high hazard potential, meaning failure would probably cause human deaths. Of the 34 dam failures in Wisconsin over the last 23 years, three had high hazard potential, one had a significant hazard potential, meaning a failure could cause economic loss, environmental damage, and other problems, and 18 had low hazard potential, meaning failure wouldn’t result in any loss of human life and would have low economic and environmental consequences. The remainder’s hazard potential was undetermined.

Every state budget since 2009 has provided at least $4 million for dam safety work, according to the report. The funding has been enough to improve the state’s most important dams, but “a changing climate — triggering more frequent and more severe extreme rain events — could pose new and greater tests to our dam infrastructure,” it warns.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum compiled the report using data collected by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Olympian hired at Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion

Published

1 hour ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Olympian hired at Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion

BRILLION (WLUK) — Ariens Nordic Center announced it hired Northeast Wisconsin Olympian Paul Schommer as an employee.

Schommer recently retired from the U.S. Biathlon Team. He competed in the sport at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Ariens sponsored the U.S. Biathlon team.

USA’s Paul Schommer competes in the Biathlon Mixed Relay 4x6km (W+M) event on February 05, 2022 at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Ariens says in his new role, Schommer will play a part in developing and supporting programming at the Nordic Center. Though his expertises are biathlon and Nordic skiing, Schommer will work with youth of all ages on many outdoor sports and recreational activities.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Paul to the Ariens Nordic Center team,” said Sr. Director of Ariens Nordic Center Monica Ariens. “His Olympic experience, passion for outdoor sports, and commitment to youth in our community will make him an incredible asset. Paul’s presence will elevate our programming and inspire kids in our community for years to come.”

Ariens Nordic Center near Brillion, December 19, 2022 (WLUK/Eric Peterson)

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Ariens Nordic Center says Schommer can be reached by emailing the site’s main inbox.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for May 13, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for May 13, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing

22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 13 drawing

Midday: 6-1-9

Evening: 9-2-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 13 drawing

Midday: 8-8-7-0

Evening: 7-6-1-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 13 drawing

Midday: 01-04-09-10-11-12-14-19-20-21-22

Evening: 01-02-07-08-11-13-14-17-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 13 drawing

02-12-14-16-28

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from May 13 drawing

04-11-16-25-34-36, Doubler: Y

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks numbers from May 13 drawing

07-19-23-45-47-49

Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Wisconsin

In memory of PBS Wisconsin’s Jon Miskowski

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

In memory of PBS Wisconsin’s Jon Miskowski

WPR is deeply saddened by the death of Jon Miskowski, PBS Wisconsin’s Emeritus Director of Television, who retired May 1. Jon died Saturday, May 9, at home surrounded by his family following a long battle with cancer. Read Jon’s obituary online here.

Starting as a volunteer for public television more than 40 years ago, Jon’s career was marked by his dedication and passion for public media to improve the lives of all of the people of Wisconsin.

Read more about Jon and his career in public media at pbswisconsin.org.

PBS Wisconsin has invited anyone with memories of Jon to share them via email at comments@pbswisconsin.org. PBS Wisconsin will share memories across digital and broadcast channels as we carry on his legacy of providing essential public media services to this state that he loved.

Jon’s family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift in Jon’s memory consider supporting the work to which he dedicated his professional life. Gifts in Jon’s memory can be made online here.

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