Grand Rapids West Side Dam dam
Grand Rapids West Side Dam
The Grand Rapids West Side Dam, also known as the Sixth Street Dam, is a gravity dam located on the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Built in 1917 for the primary purpose of recreation, this dam stands at a height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 23.5 feet. It spans 520 feet in length and has a maximum discharge capacity of 13,000 cubic feet per second. Despite not being regulated by the state, this dam has a high hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
The Grand Rapids West Side Dam serves as a popular spot for recreational activities, attracting visitors to its scenic location along the Grand River. While the dam itself does not have associated structures or locks, its historical significance and role in water management for the area make it a notable landmark in Kent County, Michigan. As a non-USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) structure, the dam is maintained and operated by the local government, with no specific federal agency oversight or funding.
With its historical legacy dating back over a century, the Grand Rapids West Side Dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. While its condition assessment remains "Not Rated" and its hazard potential is considered high, efforts to monitor and manage the dam's risk profile are crucial for ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and preserving the recreational opportunities that it provides. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding the role of structures like the Grand Rapids West Side Dam becomes increasingly important for sustainable water management practices in the future.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Grand Rapids West Side Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 3,970 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 221 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 19 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 47 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Ionia | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 384 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grand Rapids West Side Dam.
Boat launches
- Grand Rapids Riverwalk East Grand Rapids
- Barnard Street Southeast East Grand Rapids
- Veterans Memorial Drive Southwest Walker
- 4th Avenue Tallmadge Township
- Knapp Street Northeast Ada Township
- Indian Drive Northeast Plainfield Charter Township
Campgrounds
- Wabasis Lake County Park
- Camp Greenwood
- Silver Creek Campground
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Tanglefoot Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
Track Grand Rapids West Side Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Grand Rapids West Side Dam
Where does the data for Grand Rapids West Side Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Grand Rapids West Side Dam.