Nichwagh Lake Dam
Nichwagh Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Livingston County, Michigan, built in 1830. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Nichwagh Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Nichwagh Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Livingston County Drain Commissione (private). It impounds the Tributary To Huron River near Rushton.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 205 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 130 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1830, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 11/01/2018. That was 7 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Michigan dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Livingston |
| Nearest City | Rushton |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Huron River |
| Coordinates | 42.45167, -83.69500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 205 ft |
| Year Completed | 1830 (196 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 130 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 732 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Livingston County Drain Commissione |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/01/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00598 |
| Federal ID | MI00598 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |