Mayfield Electric Light Plant Dam is an earth dam located in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, built in 1873. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 23 ft23 ft tall and 325 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Mayfield Electric Light Plant Dam
The primary purpose of Mayfield Electric Light Plant Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Paradise Township (local government). It impounds the Swainston Creek near Mayfield.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3 acre-feet. Completed in 1873, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 09/25/1990. That was over 36 years ago.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Grand Traverse |
| Nearest City | Mayfield |
| River/Stream | Swainston Creek |
| Coordinates | 44.62667, -85.53333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 325 ft |
| Year Completed | 1873 (153 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Max Discharge | 130 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Paradise Township |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 09/25/1990 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI01023 |
| Federal ID | MI01023 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |