Smithville is a gravity dam located in Eaton County, Michigan, built in 1913. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 17 ft17 ft tall and 240 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 Smithville
The primary purpose of Smithville 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 Cameron Gas & Electric Company (private). It impounds the Grand River near Eaton Rapids.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 605 square miles. Completed in 1913, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/10/2022.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Eaton |
| Nearest City | Eaton Rapids |
| River/Stream | Grand River |
| Coordinates | 42.49960, -84.62900 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 45 acres |
| Drainage Area | 605 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Cameron Gas & Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00539 |
| Federal ID | MI00539 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |