Flat Rock Dam (Michigan) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flat Rock Dam
Flat Rock Dam in December 2019
Location within the state Michigan
Location	Huron River Flat Rock, Michigan
Coordinates	42°05′59″N 83°17′44″W / 42.099859°N 83.295638°W / 42.099859; -83.295638
Purpose	Power
Status	Decommissioned
Opening date	1924; 101 years ago (1924)
Owner(s)	Huron–Clinton Metropolitan Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity dam
Impounds	Huron River
Height	13.5 feet (4.1 m)
Length	492 feet (150 m)
Width (crest)	650 feet (198 m)
Reservoir
Creates	Flat Rock Pond (or Flat Rock Impoundment)
Total capacity	188 acres (76 ha)

The Flat Rock Dam is a large structure that crosses the Huron River. It is located in the city of Flat Rock in Michigan. The dam was built by the Ford Motor Company in 1924. Its main purpose was to create electricity for the nearby Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory. This factory used the dam's power until 1950.

Where is the Flat Rock Dam?

The Flat Rock Dam is about 9.8 miles (15.8 km) from where the Huron River meets Lake Erie. It is the last big dam on the 130-mile (210 km) long Huron River.

A smaller dam, called the Huroc Dam, is located about 900 feet (270 m) downstream. This smaller dam helps control floods. After the Huroc Dam, the river flows freely without any more dams. Another dam, the French Landing Dam, is 18.4 miles (29.6 km) upstream.

When the Flat Rock Dam was built, it created a large body of water. This water area is about 188 acres (76 ha) big. It doesn't have an official name, but people usually call it the Flat Rock Pond or the Flat Rock Impoundment.

You can't get to the Flat Rock Dam directly. A railway bridge also blocks most of the view. Most of the pond is also hard to reach because of private land. However, there is a public park called Huroc Park right next to the dam. This park is on an island in the Huron River. A bridge helps people get to the island. This bridge crosses the small Huroc Dam, which some people mistakenly call the Flat Rock Dam.

Today, the Huron–Clinton Metropolitan Authority owns the Flat Rock Dam. The Oakwoods Metropark is also along the pond upstream. You can even find a trail that connects Oakwoods Metropark to Huroc Park.

Fishing at the Dam

The area right below the Flat Rock Dam is a very popular spot for people who like to fish from the shore. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources regularly puts many rainbow trout into this part of the river. Most of these trout swim out into Lake Erie. However, some of them come back to the area to lay their eggs.

In 1997, a special structure called a fish ladder was built at the dam. This ladder helps fish swim past the dam to lay their eggs further upstream.

Besides rainbow trout, you can find many other types of fish in the Huron River here. These include:

• northern pike
• walleye
• large and smallmouth bass
• silver bass
• channel catfish
• bluegill
• sunfish
• black crappie

Closer to Lake Erie, you might also find Coho salmon, tiger muskellunge, and sheephead.

The Flat Rock Impoundment has one special fishing record. In 2007, a smallmouth bass measuring 24.25 inches (61.60 cm) was caught and released there. This record is kept by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Water Safety and Fish Advisories

Sometimes, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tells people not to eat fish from the Huron River. This happens when the water has high levels of certain substances. If these substances are present, it's best to avoid long contact with the water.

Fishermen are advised to catch and release any fish they catch. Warning signs are put up at places where people can get to the river. Even though the Flat Rock Dam and its pond are not always named specifically, these warnings often cover the part of the Huron River that includes the dam area, leading to Lake Erie.

Gallery

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  The smaller Huroc Dam about 900 feet (270 m) downstream
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  The fish ladder along the south bank of the dam
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  The construction of the dam created the Flat Rock Pond