Beren's Dam is an earth dam located in Ottawa County, Michigan, built in 1993. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 1,260 ft long, taller than 74% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. 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 Beren's Dam
The primary purpose of Beren's Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Ottawa County Drain Commissioner (private). It impounds the Black Creek near Holland.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,260 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 773 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 11/25/2019.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa |
| Nearest City | Holland |
| River/Stream | Black Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.85695, -85.92729 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1993 (33 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 773 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 773 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Ottawa County Drain Commissioner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/25/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI01353 |
| Federal ID | MI01353 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |