Lake Orion Dam
Lake Orion Dam is a gravity dam located in Oakland County, Michigan, built in 1829. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Orion Dam
Lake Orion Dam is a dam in Oakland, Michigan. The dam is owned by Village Of Lake Orion (local government). It impounds the Paint Creek near Lake Orion.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 760 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 470 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1829, 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 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 07/23/2020.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oakland |
| Nearest City | Lake Orion |
| River/Stream | Paint Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.78333, -83.24000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 760 ft |
| Year Completed | 1829 (197 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 470 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,010 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Village of Lake Orion |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/23/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00259 |
| Federal ID | MI00259 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |