Rothschild Dam modernization begins with $42 million boost

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A state-boosted project to modernize the 113-year-old Rothschild Dam on Lake Wausau has commenced.

Gov. Tony Evers, Domtar Paper Co. on Tuesday broke ground on the Rothschild Dam modernization project in the Wausau area. Modernization is supported by $42 million in state funding, which was earmarked in the recently signed state budget.

Domtar will invest $100 million in north-central Wisconsin through its Rothschild and Nekoosa manufacturing operations over the next three years, the governor’s office said.

Black River Falls-based Lunda Construction is the general contractor, Domtar officials said.

“Investing in critical infrastructure is essential to the long-term health and resilience of our communities,” Evers said in a statement. “The Rothschild Dam has served this region for more than a century, and modernizing it is essential to public safety, environmental sustainability and economic vitality in north-central Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin ranks first in the nation for paper production and exports more than $850 million in paper products each year, officials said. Wisconsin’s forestry products industry contributes $42 billion to the state’s economy and 126,000 jobs, officials added.

Domtar is one of the longstanding forest products companies in the state and operates pulp and paper mills in Nekoosa and Rothschild, officials said. Both mills have operated for more than 100 years and support more than 3,500 local jobs, including around 750 direct employees. The mills generate an estimated $1 billion annually across the state.

“None of this happens without partnerships and today is about celebrating the mutual success of Wisconsin’s workforce and this wonderful region,” said Steve Henry, president of paper and packaging at Domtar, in a statement. “By modernizing the Rothschild Dam, we support public safety, help preserve Lake Wausau’s recreation economy and offer reliable flood control infrastructure for decades.”

The Rothschild Dam was first commissioned in 1912. Domtar owns and operates the dam and first used it to power the Rothschild Mill. Domtar invested in maintenance for years, however the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission determined repairs are no longer sufficient for the Timber Crib Spillway section of the dam, officials said. The dam and its hydro generation are no longer core to mill operations.

The upgrade to the 276-foot spillway section will help the dam continue serving surrounding communities by supporting public safety and flood control, economic development and tax revenue from private residences and businesses, reservoir management and recreational opportunities, officials said.

Crews are already working on aspects of the project and installation of two temporary cofferdams – which will allow safe, dry access for demolition of the Timber Crib Spillway – is expected to begin soon, officials said.

The 2026-27 biennial budget includes $1.1 billion in new funding for key transportation, infrastructure improvements and investment in the state forestry industry, officials added.