Farwell Mill Pond Dam

South Branch Tobacco River· Clare, Michigan· Built 1909· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Farwell Mill Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 63.6% in MI)
Dam Length325 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage350 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area32 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge450 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDMI00041

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: November 17, 1998
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Farwell Mills

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Farwell Mill Pond Dam?

Farwell Mill Pond 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 Farwell Mill Pond Dam?

Farwell Mill Pond Dam is owned by Farwell Mills (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Farwell Mill Pond Dam built?

Farwell Mill Pond Dam was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Farwell Mill Pond Dam?

Farwell Mill Pond 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 Farwell Mill Pond Dam?

Farwell Mill Pond Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Farwell Mill Pond Dam last inspected?

Farwell Mill Pond Dam was last inspected on November 17, 1998. 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.