Backus Lake Dam

Backus Creek· Roscommon, Michigan· Built 1937· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Backus Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 7.3% in MI)
Dam Length290 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area600 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDMI00750

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 1, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Backus Creek Dam

Roscommon, MI

Low Hazard 11 ft

Little Mud Lake Dam

Roscommon, MI

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Denton Creek Flooding Dam

Roscommon, MI

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Lake James Dam

Roscommon, MI

High Hazard 18 ft

Robinson Creek Flooding Dam

Roscommon, MI

Low Hazard 9 ft

Lake St Helen Lake Level Control

Roscommon, MI

Low Hazard 8 ft

Priddy Lake Dam

Roscommon, MI

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Wraco Lodge Dam

Roscommon, MI

Low Hazard 9 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Backus Lake Dam?

Backus Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Backus Lake Dam?

Backus Lake Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Backus Lake Dam built?

Backus Lake Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Backus Lake Dam?

Backus Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Backus Lake Dam?

Backus Lake Dam has a dam height of 8 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Backus Lake Dam last inspected?

Backus Lake Dam was last inspected on January 1, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.