Big Star Lake Level Control Structure

Trib to Jenks Creek· Lake, Michigan· Built 1987· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.3% in MI)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area889 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge32 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDMI00957

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 27, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Lake County Road Commssiion

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Star Lake Level Control Structure?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Big Star Lake Level Control Structure?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure is owned by Lake County Road Commssiion (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Big Star Lake Level Control Structure built?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure was completed in 1987, making it 39 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Big Star Lake Level Control Structure?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Big Star Lake Level Control Structure?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure has a dam height of 7 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Big Star Lake Level Control Structure last inspected?

Big Star Lake Level Control Structure was last inspected on October 27, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.