Brighton Lake Dam

Brighton Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Livingston County, Michigan, built in 1929. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Brighton Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Brighton Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Pine Creek Ridge Conservancy (private). It impounds the South Ore Creek near Ore Lake Subdivision.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 203 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 600 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,725 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 06/16/2020.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMichigan
CountyLivingston
Nearest CityOre Lake Subdivision
River/StreamSouth Ore Creek
Coordinates42.51708, -83.80253

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height20 ft
Dam Height20 ft
Dam Length203 ft
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage2,725 acre-ft
Max Storage2,725 acre-ft
Normal Storage2,330 acre-ft
Surface Area600 acres
Drainage Area19 sq mi
Max Discharge1,100 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerPine Creek Ridge Conservancy
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/16/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMI00595
Federal IDMI00595
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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