Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam

Trib to E Br St Joseph· Hillsdale, Michigan· Built 1956· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 32.7% in MI)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage210 acre-ft
Normal Storage86 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge56 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDMI00555

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: Yes
Last Inspection: March 14, 2007
State Regulated: No

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 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 Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam built?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 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 Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 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 Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam last inspected?

Lost Nation Lake # 5 Dam was last inspected on March 14, 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.