Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam

Tributary to Houghton Lake· Roscommon, Michigan· Built 1967· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 14.1% in MI)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area400 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge170 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDMI02012

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: June 5, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit 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 Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam built?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit 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 Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit 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 Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam last inspected?

Houghton Lake Flats North Unit Dam was last inspected on June 5, 2013. 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.