Grand Rapids West Side Dam
Grand Rapids West Side Dam is a gravity dam located in Kent County, Michigan, built in 1917. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Grand Rapids West Side Dam
The primary purpose of Grand Rapids West Side Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Grand Rapids (local government). It impounds the Grand River near Grand Rapids.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 520 feet across, and collects water from a drainage area of 4,883 square miles. Completed in 1917, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. The most recent inspection on record was 01/01/1901. That was 125 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Michigan dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Kent |
| Nearest City | Grand Rapids |
| River/Stream | Grand River |
| Coordinates | 42.98000, -85.67500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 520 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City of Grand Rapids |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 01/01/1901 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00508 |
| Federal ID | MI00508 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |