Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure

Paw Paw River· Berrien, Michigan· Built 1987· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 26.9% in MI)
Dam Length60 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage720 acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area922 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDMI01925

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: December 4, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Berrien County Drain Commissioner

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure 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 Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure is owned by Berrien County Drain Commissioner (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure built?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure 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 Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure has a dam height of 11 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 Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure last inspected?

Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure was last inspected on December 4, 2020. 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.