Tau Beta Dam, located in Columbiaville, Michigan, along the Whipple Drain, serves as a recreational structure with a primary purpose of providing leisure activities for water enthusiasts.
Wind
Humidity
Constructed in 1927, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and stretches 200 feet in length, offering a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1600 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Managed by a private owner, Tau Beta Dam boasts a serene surface area of 10 acres within its drainage area of 8 square miles. With an uncontrolled spillway width of 50 feet, the dam provides a safe recreational environment for visitors seeking outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Although last inspected in 2006, the dam's moderate risk assessment rating of 3 underscores the importance of ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of this vital water resource in Lapeer County, Michigan.
In the heart of the Buffalo District, Tau Beta Dam continues to attract water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape in the picturesque surroundings of Columbiaville. With its historical significance and recreational value, this earth dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices and the harmonious coexistence of nature and human recreation. As climate change impacts our water resources, the preservation and maintenance of structures like Tau Beta Dam are crucial in safeguarding our environment for future generations of water and outdoor enthusiasts.
Year Completed |
1927 |
Dam Length |
200 |
Dam Height |
13 |
River Or Stream |
Whipple Drain |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
10 |
Hydraulic Height |
13 |
Drainage Area |
8 |
Nid Storage |
60 |
Structural Height |
13 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Nid Height |
13 |
South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville
|
85cfs |
Flint River Near Otisville
|
131cfs |
Farmers Creek Near Lapeer
|
10cfs |
Kearsley Creek Near Davison
|
12cfs |
Cass River At Frankenmuth
|
87cfs |
Flint River Near Flint
|
225cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Otter Lake Park
|
||
Wolverine
|
||
Arthur Latham Park
|