Featherbed Dam

Trib to Pickerel Lake Creek· Mecosta, Michigan· Built 1952· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Featherbed Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 14.1% in MI)
Dam Length515 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area350 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge190 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDMI00358

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: May 10, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Featherbed Dam?

Featherbed 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 Featherbed Dam?

Featherbed Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Featherbed Dam built?

Featherbed Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Featherbed Dam?

Featherbed 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 Featherbed Dam?

Featherbed Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Featherbed Dam last inspected?

Featherbed Dam was last inspected on May 10, 2017. 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.