Lake Contos Dam

Tributary to Cedar River· Gladwin, Michigan· Built 1950· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Contos Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 32.7% in MI)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage110 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge160 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDMI00201

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: July 12, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Gladwin County Drain Commissioner

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Contos Dam?

Lake Contos 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 Lake Contos Dam?

Lake Contos Dam is owned by Gladwin County Drain Commissioner (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Contos Dam built?

Lake Contos Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Lake Contos Dam?

Lake Contos 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 Lake Contos Dam?

Lake Contos Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Lake Contos Dam last inspected?

Lake Contos Dam was last inspected on July 12, 2019. 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.