Horseshoe Lake Dam

Big Cannon Creek· Missaukee, Michigan· Built 1940· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Horseshoe Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 55.7% in MI)
Dam Length145 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage290 acre-ft
Normal Storage135 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge145 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDMI00220

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 29, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Charles Belser

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe Lake Dam is owned by Charles Belser (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Horseshoe Lake Dam built?

Horseshoe Lake Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam last inspected?

Horseshoe Lake Dam was last inspected on November 29, 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.