French Paper Company Dam dam
French Paper Company Dam
The French Paper Company Dam, also known as the Niles Dam, is a historic hydroelectric structure located in Berrien County, Michigan. Built in 1887, this gravity dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 1000 feet along the Saint Joseph River. With a storage capacity of 1600 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 510 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power in the region.
Despite being privately owned, the French Paper Company Dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 321 feet, allows for a maximum discharge of 31,000 cubic feet per second. While it is not currently regulated or inspected by state authorities, the dam's structural integrity and overall condition remain unrated. Fred Upton (R) represents the area in Congress and plays a role in any potential legislative or regulatory matters related to the dam.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of the French Paper Company Dam in harnessing hydroelectric power from the Saint Joseph River. The dam's unique design, gravity construction, and storage capacity make it a key player in the region's energy infrastructure. As discussions around water resource management and climate resilience continue, the dam's role in providing renewable energy and managing water levels will be of increasing interest and importance to stakeholders in the area.
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 French Paper Company Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 4,150 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 15 cfs | → |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 330 cfs | → |
| Galien River Near Sawyer | 60 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,480 cfs | → |
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 418 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near French Paper Company Dam.
Track French Paper Company 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 French Paper Company Dam
Where does the data for French Paper Company 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 French Paper Company Dam.