Dayton Lake Dam
Dayton Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Berrien County, Michigan, built in 1833. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Dayton Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Dayton Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Berrien County Drain Commissioner (private). It impounds the Galien River near Dayton.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 128 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,170 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1833, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/23/2020.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Berrien |
| Nearest City | Dayton |
| River/Stream | Galien River |
| Coordinates | 41.79646, -86.44208 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1833 (193 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,170 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,170 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,020 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 128 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 40 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Berrien County Drain Commissioner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/23/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00018 |
| Federal ID | MI00018 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |