Sterner Dam

Sterner Dam is a gravity dam located in Ionia County, Michigan, built in 1921. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.

About Sterner Dam

The primary purpose of Sterner Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Keith Sterner (private). It impounds the Prairie Creek near Ionia.

The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 52 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. Completed in 1921, the structure is over a century old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 01/01/1981. That was over 45 years ago.

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Low HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateMichigan
CountyIonia
Nearest CityIonia
River/StreamPrairie Creek
Coordinates43.02104, -85.02360

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height13 ft
Dam Height13 ft
Dam Length52 ft
Year Completed1921 (105 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage85 acre-ft
Max Storage85 acre-ft
Normal Storage65 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Max Discharge1,000 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerKeith Sterner
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection01/01/1981
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDMI00102
Federal IDMI00102
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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