Rainbow Lake Dam
Rainbow Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Gratiot County, Michigan, built in 1962. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rainbow Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Rainbow Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Rainbow Lakes Maintenance Corp. (private). It impounds the Pine Creek near Maple Rapids.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 238 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 84 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/20/2019.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Gratiot |
| Nearest City | Maple Rapids |
| River/Stream | Pine Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.12333, -84.69833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,400 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 238 acres |
| Drainage Area | 84 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Rainbow Lakes Maintenance Corp. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/20/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00616 |
| Federal ID | MI00616 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |