Lower Paint

Paint Branch· Iron, Michigan· Built 1952· Concrete· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lower Paint is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 79.7% in MI)
Dam Length616 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage3.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.5K acre-ft
Surface Area340 acres
Drainage Area665 sq mi
Max Discharge11,900 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDMI00179

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: August 21, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Wisconsin Electric Power Company

Public Utility

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Paint?

Lower Paint 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 Lower Paint?

Lower Paint is owned by Wisconsin Electric Power Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Paint built?

Lower Paint was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Lower Paint?

Lower Paint serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower Paint?

Lower Paint has a dam height of 23 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 Lower Paint last inspected?

Lower Paint was last inspected on August 21, 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.