Homestake Copper Dam

Slaughterhouse Creek· Houghton, Michigan· Built 1975· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Tailings Local Government

Key Takeaway

Homestake Copper Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is tailings.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 74.1% in MI)
Dam Length3,654 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage378 acre-ft
Normal Storage324 acre-ft
Surface Area39 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDMI00673

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 4, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

No Houghton Co Water and Sewer Auth

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Homestake Copper Dam?

Homestake Copper 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 Homestake Copper Dam?

Homestake Copper Dam is owned by No Houghton Co Water and Sewer Auth (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Homestake Copper Dam built?

Homestake Copper Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Homestake Copper Dam?

Homestake Copper Dam serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Homestake Copper Dam?

Homestake Copper Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Homestake Copper Dam last inspected?

Homestake Copper Dam was last inspected on October 4, 2016. 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.