Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure
Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure is a gravity dam located in Berrien County, Michigan, built in 1987. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure
The primary purpose of Paw Paw Lake Level Control Structure is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Berrien County Drain Commissioner (private). It impounds the Paw Paw River near Watervliet.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 60 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 922 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 720 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 12/04/2020.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Berrien |
| Nearest City | Watervliet |
| River/Stream | Paw Paw River |
| Coordinates | 42.20773, -86.25007 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 60 ft |
| Year Completed | 1987 (39 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 720 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 720 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 922 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Berrien County Drain Commissioner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/04/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI01925 |
| Federal ID | MI01925 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |