Allegan City Dam dam
Allegan City Dam
The Allegan City Dam, also known as the Allegan Dam, is a vital structure located on the Kalamazoo River in Allegan, Michigan. Built in 1900, this earth and gravity dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 450 feet. It serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 800 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1100 acre-feet.
With a high hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, the Allegan City Dam poses a significant risk in case of failure, as indicated by its very high risk assessment rating. The dam is under state regulation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with regular inspections taking place to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region.
As a key feature on the Kalamazoo River, the Allegan City Dam provides not only recreational opportunities but also contributes to the overall ecosystem and water management efforts in the area. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of this structure, while also recognizing the need for ongoing maintenance and risk management to ensure its continued safe operation in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Allegan City Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 69 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Allegan City Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Brandywine Lake Road 31738, Pine Grove
- County Road 653 Pine Grove Township
- County Road 380 47089, Columbia Township
- Hutchins Lake Boat Launch
- 24th Street 46683, Columbia Township
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
⛺ Campgrounds
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Brookside City Park
- Ely Lake Campground
- Silver Creek Campground
- Camp Merrie Wood
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Allegan City 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 Allegan City Dam
Where does the data for Allegan City 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 Allegan City Dam.