Thornton District Detention Basin

Thornton Creek· Oakland, Michigan· Built 1985· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Thornton District Detention Basin is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 26.9% in MI)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage83 acre-ft
Normal Storage8 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge54 cfs
Year Completed1985 (41 years old)
NID IDMI02198

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 5, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

City of Novi

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thornton District Detention Basin?

Thornton District Detention Basin 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 Thornton District Detention Basin?

Thornton District Detention Basin is owned by City of Novi (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thornton District Detention Basin built?

Thornton District Detention Basin was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 Thornton District Detention Basin?

Thornton District Detention Basin serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Thornton District Detention Basin?

Thornton District Detention Basin 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 Thornton District Detention Basin last inspected?

Thornton District Detention Basin was last inspected on June 5, 2018. 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.