Mcdonald Lake Dam

Bulldog Creek· Schoolcraft, Michigan· Built 1945· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Mcdonald Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.3% in MI)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area1,440 acres
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDMI00038

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: October 12, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Mueller Township

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mcdonald Lake Dam?

Mcdonald Lake 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam?

Mcdonald Lake Dam is owned by Mueller Township (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mcdonald Lake Dam built?

Mcdonald Lake Dam was completed in 1945, making it 81 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam?

Mcdonald Lake 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam?

Mcdonald Lake 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam last inspected?

Mcdonald Lake Dam was last inspected on October 12, 2018. 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.