Little Black Lake Dam

Little Black Creek· Muskegon, Michigan· Built 1927· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little Black Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 20.5% in MI)
Dam Length20 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage933 acre-ft
Normal Storage336 acre-ft
Surface Area239 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDMI01687

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: July 25, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Muskegon County Drain Commissioner

Local Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Black Lake Dam?

Little Black Lake 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 Little Black Lake Dam?

Little Black Lake Dam is owned by Muskegon County Drain Commissioner (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little Black Lake Dam built?

Little Black Lake Dam was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Little Black Lake Dam?

Little Black Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Little Black Lake Dam?

Little Black Lake Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Little Black Lake Dam last inspected?

Little Black Lake Dam was last inspected on July 25, 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.