French Hydro
French Hydro is an arch dam located in Berrien County, Michigan, built in 1914. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About French Hydro
The primary purpose of French Hydro is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by French Hydro Llc (private). It impounds the St Joseph River near Niles.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 321 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 110 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,666 square miles. Completed in 1914, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 06/05/2018.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Berrien |
| Nearest City | Niles |
| River/Stream | St Joseph River |
| Coordinates | 41.81760, -86.25910 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 321 ft |
| Year Completed | 1914 (112 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 610 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,666 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 22,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | French Hydro LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/05/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00537 |
| Federal ID | MI00537 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |