The Hamilton Dam in downtown Flint has one of the worst ratings in the country. I went there yesterday and took a look for myself. I also took some pictures. Take a look.

The Hamilton Dam runs through the heart of downtown Flint, with the U-M campus on either side. According to Flint's former city coordinator Steve Montle it’s “in very, very poor shape." Steve, now works on city projects as a consultant. Based on its location, it’s considered a high-hazard dam meaning if it failed, people likely would die and significant structural damage could occur.

The Hamilton Dam is an extreme example of a growing concern in Michigan: aging, dilapidated dams and what to do about them. Overall, more than 90 percent of Michigan’s nearly 2,600 dams will reach or exceed their design life by 2020, the American Society of Civil Engineers stated in a report giving Michigan a D grade on the condition of its dams.

Most Michigan dams no longer serve the purpose for which they were built in the late 1800s or early to mid-1900s. Hamilton was built in 1920. Photos below.

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