Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam

W Fork W Br St Joseph River· Hillsdale, Michigan· Built 1880· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 50.6% in MI)
Dam Length190 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage775 acre-ft
Normal Storage500 acre-ft
Surface Area125 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge85 cfs
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)
NID IDMI00084

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 24, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam?

Ribeck Mead and Turner 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 Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam?

Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam is owned by Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam built?

Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam?

Ribeck Mead and Turner 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 Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam?

Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam last inspected?

Ribeck Mead and Turner Dam was last inspected on October 24, 2019. 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.