Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure

Coldwater River· Branch, Michigan· Built 1847· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1847 and is 179 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 44.8% in MI)
Dam Length560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area1,160 acres
Drainage Area173 sq mi
Max Discharge3,840 cfs
Year Completed1847 (179 years old)
NID IDMI00021

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 9, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Branch County Drain Commission

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure?

Morrison West Chain 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure?

Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure is owned by Branch County Drain Commission (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure built?

Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure was completed in 1847, making it 179 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure?

Morrison West Chain 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure?

Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure has a dam height of 14 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure last inspected?

Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure was last inspected on October 9, 2019. 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.