Crystal Valley Dam

Crystal Creek· Oceana, Michigan· Built 1937· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Crystal Valley Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 55.7% in MI)
Dam Length615 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage570 acre-ft
Normal Storage450 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge440 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDMI00279

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: August 15, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Oceana County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Crystal Valley Dam?

Crystal Valley Dam 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 Crystal Valley Dam?

Crystal Valley Dam is owned by Oceana County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Crystal Valley Dam built?

Crystal Valley Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Crystal Valley Dam?

Crystal Valley Dam 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 Crystal Valley Dam?

Crystal Valley Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Crystal Valley Dam last inspected?

Crystal Valley Dam was last inspected on August 15, 2016. 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.