Lyons Dam

Grand River· Ionia, Michigan· Built 1900· Gravity· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lyons Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 63.6% in MI)
Dam Length370 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage620 acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area1,758 sq mi
Max Discharge27,000 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDMI00509

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 14, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Village of Lyons

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lyons Dam?

Lyons 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 Lyons Dam?

Lyons Dam is owned by Village of Lyons (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lyons Dam built?

Lyons Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Lyons Dam?

Lyons 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 Lyons Dam?

Lyons Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Lyons Dam last inspected?

Lyons Dam was last inspected on October 14, 2013. 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.