Dawson Millpond Dam
Dawson Millpond Dam is an earth dam located in Oakland County, Michigan, built in 1915. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Dawson Millpond Dam
The primary purpose of Dawson Millpond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Oakland County Drain Commissioner (private). It impounds the Clinton River near Pontiac.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 567 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,447 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 109 square miles. Completed in 1915, 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 09/12/2019.
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 | Pontiac |
| River/Stream | Clinton River |
| Coordinates | 42.62500, -83.31667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Year Completed | 1915 (111 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,447 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,447 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 567 acres |
| Drainage Area | 109 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 919 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Oakland County Drain Commissioner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00718 |
| Federal ID | MI00718 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |