Chesaning Dam

Shiawassee River· Saginaw, Michigan· Built 1863· Other· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Chesaning Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1863 and is 163 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 14.1% in MI)
Dam Length211 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area619 sq mi
Year Completed1863 (163 years old)
NID IDMI00360

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 24, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Village of Chesaning

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Shiawassee Flats Dam

Saginaw, MI

Low Hazard 12 ft

Misteguay Creek 4

Saginaw, MI

High Hazard 39 ft

Misteguay Creek 2a

Shiawassee, MI

Low Hazard 29 ft

Misteguay Creek 3a

Saginaw, MI

Low Hazard 29 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chesaning Dam?

Chesaning 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 Chesaning Dam?

Chesaning Dam is owned by Village of Chesaning (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chesaning Dam built?

Chesaning Dam was completed in 1863, making it 163 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 Chesaning Dam?

Chesaning 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 Chesaning Dam?

Chesaning Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Chesaning Dam last inspected?

Chesaning Dam was last inspected on October 24, 2008. 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.