Barnes Lake Dam, located in Columbiaville, Michigan, was completed in 1935 and serves primarily for recreation purposes. This earth dam stands at 7 feet in height, with a hydraulic height of 4 feet and a length of 225 feet. The dam holds a normal storage capacity of 132 acre-feet, with a total storage of 184 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 7 feet, and it has a low hazard potential rating.

Managed by the local government, Barnes Lake Dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. Although the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, it undergoes inspections every 5 years, with the last inspection date recorded as January 1, 1901. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) not yet assigned.

Despite its age, Barnes Lake Dam continues to provide recreational opportunities to visitors while adhering to state regulatory standards. The dam's location on the Barnes Lake Outlet offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts and climate enthusiasts alike to appreciate the importance of water resource management and infrastructure maintenance in ensuring public safety and environmental protection.