Big Seven Lake Dam

Tributary to Swartz Creek· Oakland, Michigan· Built 1967· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Big Seven Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 50.6% in MI)
Dam Length220 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage680 acre-ft
Surface Area161 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge840 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDMI00432

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 28, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Parks & Recreation

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Seven Lake Dam?

Big Seven 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 Big Seven Lake Dam?

Big Seven Lake Dam is owned by MDNR Parks & Recreation (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Big Seven Lake Dam built?

Big Seven Lake Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Big Seven Lake Dam?

Big Seven 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 Big Seven Lake Dam?

Big Seven Lake Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Big Seven Lake Dam last inspected?

Big Seven Lake Dam was last inspected on October 28, 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.