Lake Somerset Dam
Lake Somerset Dam is an earth dam located in Hillsdale County, Michigan, built in 1968. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Somerset Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Somerset Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner (private). It impounds the Goose Creek near Cement City.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 810 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 188 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,255 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 10/02/2019.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Hillsdale |
| Nearest City | Cement City |
| River/Stream | Goose Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.05833, -84.36667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 810 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,255 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,255 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,422 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 188 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 883 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/02/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00086 |
| Federal ID | MI00086 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |