Peninsular Paper Dam
Peninsular Paper Dam is a gravity dam located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, built in 1867. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Peninsular Paper Dam
The primary purpose of Peninsular Paper Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Ypsilanti (local government). It impounds the Huron River near Ypsilanti.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 66 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 813 square miles. Completed in 1867, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/08/2022.
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 | Washtenaw |
| Nearest City | Ypsilanti |
| River/Stream | Huron River |
| Coordinates | 42.25618, -83.62409 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1867 (159 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 370 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 66 acres |
| Drainage Area | 813 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 14,940 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City of Ypsilanti |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00500 |
| Federal ID | MI00500 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |