Clarkston Dam
Clarkston Dam is an earth dam located in Oakland County, Michigan, built in 1900. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Clarkston Dam
The primary purpose of Clarkston Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lehman Investment Company (private). It impounds the Clinton River near Clarkston.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 214 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 09/09/2020.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Michigan dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oakland |
| Nearest City | Clarkston |
| River/Stream | Clinton River |
| Coordinates | 42.73667, -83.42000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 214 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 80 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lehman Investment Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/09/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00240 |
| Federal ID | MI00240 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |