Black River Dam

Black River· Gogebic, Michigan· Built 1947· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Black River Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 50.6% in MI)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage660 acre-ft
Normal Storage480 acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge570 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDMI00071

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 11, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black River Dam?

Black River 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 Black River Dam?

Black River Dam is owned by MDNR Fisheries (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black River Dam built?

Black River Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 Black River Dam?

Black River 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 Black River Dam?

Black River 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 Black River Dam last inspected?

Black River Dam was last inspected on October 11, 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.