Schweitzer Dam
Schweitzer Dam is a concrete dam located in Marquette County, Michigan, built in 1962. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Schweitzer Dam
The primary purpose of Schweitzer Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Empire Iron Mining Prtnp (private). It impounds the Schweitzer Creek near Gwinn.
The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 255 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 25 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 11/14/2017.
At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Marquette |
| Nearest City | Gwinn |
| River/Stream | Schweitzer Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.41333, -87.64667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Length | 570 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 255 acres |
| Drainage Area | 25 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Empire Iron Mining Prtnp |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/14/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00612 |
| Federal ID | MI00612 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |