Baw Beese Lake Dam

St. Joseph River· Hillsdale, Michigan· Built 1979· Concrete· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Baw Beese Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 0.2% in MI)
Dam Length0 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage430 acre-ft
Surface Area475 acres
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDMI00886

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: October 2, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Baw Beese Lake Dam?

Baw Beese 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 Baw Beese Lake Dam?

Baw Beese Lake Dam is owned by Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Baw Beese Lake Dam built?

Baw Beese Lake Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Baw Beese Lake Dam?

Baw Beese 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 Baw Beese Lake Dam?

Baw Beese Lake Dam has a dam height of 6 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 Baw Beese Lake Dam last inspected?

Baw Beese Lake Dam was last inspected on October 2, 2019. 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.