Dams have been built and rebuilt across Michigan to meet a variety of needs that reflect the evolution of the State's economy and society over the decades. Dams have been built to transport logs and other goods, to generate electricity and to run milling operations. Dams have been built to provide reliable year round water supplies for irrigation, domestic use and for navigation and recreational uses. Dams have also been built to provide flood control, debris control, and to hold mine tailings. Many state and federally owned dams in Michigan provide water control for waterfowl and fisheries management purposes. It is estimated that we have over 2,500 dams in Michigan.