Atlas Dam is an earth dam located in Genesee County, Michigan, built in 1835. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 22 ft22 ft tall and 270 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Atlas Dam
The primary purpose of Atlas Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Genesee County Road Commission (local government). It impounds the Kearsley Creek near Atlas.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 270 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 43 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 505 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 50 square miles. Completed in 1835, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/14/2018.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Genesee |
| Nearest City | Atlas |
| River/Stream | Kearsley Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.93833, -83.53333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 270 ft |
| Year Completed | 1835 (191 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 505 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 505 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 310 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 43 acres |
| Drainage Area | 50 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,770 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Genesee County Road Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/14/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00057 |
| Federal ID | MI00057 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |