Phipps Lake Dam

Zimmerman Branch· Oakland, Michigan· Built 1930· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Phipps Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 20.5% in MI)
Dam Length75 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Surface Area54 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge50 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDMI00314

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: November 12, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

UJF Otronville

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Phipps Lake Dam?

Phipps 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 Phipps Lake Dam?

Phipps Lake Dam is owned by UJF Otronville (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Phipps Lake Dam built?

Phipps Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Phipps Lake Dam?

Phipps 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 Phipps Lake Dam?

Phipps Lake Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Phipps Lake Dam last inspected?

Phipps Lake Dam was last inspected on November 12, 2016. 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.