Melrose

About Melrose

The primary purpose of Melrose is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Village Of Melrose (local government). It impounds the Douglas Creek near Melrose.

The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 90 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 24 square miles. Completed in 1864, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. The most recent inspection on record was 08/26/2021.

At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.

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