Summary
In August 2025, Domtar broke ground on the Rothschild Dam modernization project. The project, which is expected to take a few years, is one of many ways we are investing in Wisconsin’s future. Learn:
Why we’re doing the project
Who our financial partners are
How much progress we’ve made since breaking ground
What comes next
In August 2025, Domtar broke ground on a multi-year project to modernize the Rothschild Dam near our mill in Rothschild, Wisconsin. The Rothschild Dam modernization is just one example of Domtar’s continued investment in Wisconsin, supporting the long-term future of the mill and the surrounding community.
More Than a Century of Use
Since 1909, this mill has overlooked the Wisconsin River and been a centerpiece of the Village of Rothschild. Built in 1912, the dam originally provided hydroelectric power to the Rothschild Mill and helped channel pulpwood from upstream for pulp and paper manufacturing. It also created Lake Wausau, which remains a popular recreation site.
After more than a century of use, the 276-foot-long Timber Crib Spillway section of the dam is not a candidate for further patchwork repairs and needs to be replaced.
Although the dam and its related hydroelectric generation are no longer a core part of the mill’s operations, it still plays a vital role in the community. It provides tax revenue from private residences and businesses, reservoir management, public safety related to flood control, and recreational opportunities. Domtar has and will continue to maintain the dam as part of its ongoing commitment to north central Wisconsin.
“The Rothschild Dam modernization is important to Domtar, our community and north central Wisconsin,” says Dave Faucett, general manager, Rothschild Mill. “Along with the Nekoosa Mill, located downstream, we support an estimated 3,500 local jobs, including 750 direct employees, and generate $1 billion in annual economic impact to the local economies in Wisconsin. Replacing this section of the dam — with the help of our Wisconsin-based contractors — helps ensure it will continue to benefit the region far into the future.”
Partners in Progress
A project of this magnitude requires multiple partners working together to share the estimated $84 million cost, of which Domtar has committed to pay at least one third. In 2025, Wisconsin state lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers passed and signed into law SB 421/AB 416, which provides $42 million in financial assistance for the modernization project.
Local municipalities have also pledged monetary and in-kind support, including the Village of Rothschild, City of Schofield, City of Wausau and the Village of Rib Mountain. The Judd S. Alexander Foundation, Inc., graciously offered a $125,000 grant to match local contributions from these municipalities bordering Lake Wausau.
“We applaud the commitment from the state, regional and local community leaders to strengthen Wisconsin,” Faucett says.
“Given the broad public benefits offered by the dam, it’s important for multiple stakeholders to invest in the Rothschild Dam modernization and, by extension, this region,” explains Seth Kursman, vice president, U.S. Public Affairs and Global External Communications, at Domtar. “By securing these cost-sharing partnerships, Domtar has committed to investing $100 million in north central Wisconsin via its Rothschild and Nekoosa manufacturing operations.”
By the Numbers
Since breaking ground on the Rothschild Dam modernization in 2025, Domtar has:
- Installed 160,000 square feet of sheet piles (cofferdam)
- Placed 50,000 tons of aggregate (cofferdam)
- Poured 1,000 cubic yards of concrete (includes pile cap)
- Completed 25,000 safe work hours
This was accomplished despite early 2026 weather extremes, including:
- Minus 26-degree air temperatures and minus 50-degree wind chills in January
- 30 inches of snow during a March storm
- 8.74 inches of rain in April
- 35,000 cubic feet per second river flow in April
What’s next?
- Removing 30,000 tons of demolition debris
- Excavating 20,000 cubic yards of material
- Installing 4 million pounds of piling
- Pouring 13,500 cubic yards of concrete
- Installing 1,100 tons of rebar
“None of this happens without partnerships,” Faucett says. “The Rothschild Dam modernization illustrates how a community can come together to promote the success of a region rich in papermaking heritage. We believe in north central Wisconsin.”
Learn more about the Rothschild Dam modernization project and its impact on the region, and check out these other articles about Domtar’s work in and contributions to Wisconsin:
