Elk Rapids is a gravity dam located in Antrim County, Michigan, built in 1916. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 21 ft21 ft tall and 87 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Elk Rapids
The primary purpose of Elk Rapids 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 Antrim County (local government). It impounds the Elk Creek.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 87 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 75,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 513 square miles. Completed in 1916, 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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 07/14/2022.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Antrim |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Elk Creek |
| Coordinates | 44.90000, -85.40000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 87 ft |
| Year Completed | 1916 (110 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 75,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 75,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 75,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 513 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 490 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Antrim County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00517 |
| Federal ID | MI00517 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |