Lake Michigan Dam dam
Lake Michigan Dam
The Lake Michigan Dam, also known as Williams Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Griffin, Georgia. Built in 1957 for recreational purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and spans 540 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and a normal storage of 60 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area.
While the dam's hazard potential is classified as low and its condition assessment is currently unrated, it undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates to manage water flow. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the Lake Michigan Dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable recreational space for visitors in Spalding County, Georgia.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and ecosystems, the Lake Michigan Dam remains a vital part of the local landscape. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area. With its scenic surroundings and recreational offerings, the Lake Michigan Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Lake Michigan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 8 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 57 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 63 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 13 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 15 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River Near Jackson | 441 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Michigan Dam.
Boat launches
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- Wise Creek Tail Jasper County
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
- East Bagwell Road Pike County
- 1124 Peachtree City
Campgrounds
- High Falls State Park
- Indian Springs State Park
- Gladesville Campground
- Rush Creek Campground
- Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Griffin City Reservoir
- High Falls Lake
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
- Padgett Lake
- Clayton County International Park
- Jackson Lake
Track Lake Michigan 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 Lake Michigan Dam
Where does the data for Lake Michigan 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 Low 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 Lake Michigan Dam.