Winchester Dam
Winchester Dam is an earth dam located in Mecosta County, Michigan, built in 1954. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Winchester Dam
The primary purpose of Winchester Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mdnr Wildlife (state). It impounds the W Br Chippewa River near Barryton.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 362 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,420 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 40 square miles. Completed in 1954, 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 08/13/2020.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mecosta |
| Nearest City | Barryton |
| River/Stream | W Br Chippewa River |
| Coordinates | 43.71836, -85.18300 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 362 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,420 acres |
| Drainage Area | 40 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MDNR Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/13/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00364 |
| Federal ID | MI00364 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |