Kitchin Dam

Trib S Br Ontonagon River· Ontonagon, Michigan· Built 1973· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Kitchin Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.3% in MI)
Dam Length220 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage58 acre-ft
Normal Storage38 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge95 cfs
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDMI00667

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: September 12, 2007
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Donald T Kitchin

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kitchin Dam?

Kitchin 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 Kitchin Dam?

Kitchin Dam is owned by Donald T Kitchin (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kitchin Dam built?

Kitchin Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Kitchin Dam?

Kitchin 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 Kitchin Dam?

Kitchin Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Kitchin Dam last inspected?

Kitchin Dam was last inspected on September 12, 2007. 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.