Merritt Lake Dam
Merritt Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Lapeer County, Michigan, built in 1953. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Merritt Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Merritt Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Merritt L Sub Div Association (private). It impounds the Farmers Creek near Lapeer.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1953, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/17/2019.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Lapeer |
| Nearest City | Lapeer |
| River/Stream | Farmers Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.95500, -83.32667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 198 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Merritt L Sub Div Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/17/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00798 |
| Federal ID | MI00798 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |