Lower Michigan

Lower Michigan is an earth dam located in Park County, Colorado, built in 1889. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Lower Michigan

The primary purpose of Lower Michigan is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Fred C. Bartle Jr. Living Trust (kasparek, Greg) (private). It impounds the Michigan Creek-os near Deckers.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 210 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Completed in 1889, 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 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 08/29/2019.

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Low HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateColorado
CountyPark
Nearest CityDeckers
River/StreamMichigan Creek-os
Coordinates39.42834, -105.89890

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height20 ft
Dam Height20 ft
Dam Length210 ft
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage80 acre-ft
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Max Discharge65 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFish and Wildlife Pond
OwnerFRED C. BARTLE JR. LIVING TRUST (KASPAREK, GREG)
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection08/29/2019
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDCO01795
Federal IDCO01795
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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