Lamberson Dam
Lamberson Dam is a gravity dam located in St. Joseph County, Michigan, built in 1839. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lamberson Dam
The primary purpose of Lamberson Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Village Of Colon (private). It impounds the Swan Creek near Colon.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 110 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 670 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,375 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 112 square miles. Completed in 1839, 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 11/07/2019.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | St. Joseph |
| Nearest City | Colon |
| River/Stream | Swan Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.95788, -85.32315 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 110 ft |
| Year Completed | 1839 (187 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,375 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,375 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 670 acres |
| Drainage Area | 112 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,050 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Village of Colon |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/07/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00371 |
| Federal ID | MI00371 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |