Chestnut Lake Dam

Middle Branch Clinton River· Macomb, Michigan· Built 1968· Gravity· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Chestnut Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 55.7% in MI)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage36 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge760 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDMI01510

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: December 19, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Shelby Charter Township

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut Lake Dam is owned by Shelby Charter Township (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chestnut Lake Dam built?

Chestnut Lake Dam was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut Lake Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Chestnut Lake Dam last inspected?

Chestnut Lake Dam was last inspected on December 19, 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.