Root Dam is an earth dam located in Ottawa County, Michigan, built in 1860. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 14 ft14 ft tall and 500 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Root Dam
The primary purpose of Root Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by J. W. Davis (private). It impounds the Sand Creek near Tallmadge.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 49 square miles. Completed in 1860, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 11/14/1979. That was over 46 years ago.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa |
| Nearest City | Tallmadge |
| River/Stream | Sand Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.99000, -85.83167 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1860 (166 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 49 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | J. W. Davis |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 11/14/1979 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00341 |
| Federal ID | MI00341 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |