Mud Lake Dam

Mud Lake Outlet· Jackson, Michigan· Built 1840· Gravity· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Mud Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1840 and is 186 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 14.1% in MI)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage184 acre-ft
Normal Storage184 acre-ft
Surface Area250 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1840 (186 years old)
NID IDMI01341

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: April 19, 2002
State Regulated: No

Ownership

MDNR Parks & Recreation

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mud Lake Dam?

Mud 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 Mud Lake Dam?

Mud Lake Dam is owned by MDNR Parks & Recreation (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mud Lake Dam built?

Mud Lake Dam was completed in 1840, making it 186 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 Mud Lake Dam?

Mud 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 Mud Lake Dam?

Mud Lake Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Mud Lake Dam last inspected?

Mud Lake Dam was last inspected on April 19, 2002. 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.