Potagannissing Dam

Potagannissing River· Chippewa, Michigan· Built 1948· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Potagannissing Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.3% in MI)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area2,200 acres
Drainage Area33 sq mi
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDMI00784

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: June 9, 2015
State Regulated: No

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Potagannissing Dam?

Potagannissing 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 Potagannissing Dam?

Potagannissing Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Potagannissing Dam built?

Potagannissing Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Potagannissing Dam?

Potagannissing 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 Potagannissing Dam?

Potagannissing 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 Potagannissing Dam last inspected?

Potagannissing Dam was last inspected on June 9, 2015. 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.