Carrier Creek Structure A dam
Carrier Creek Structure A
Carrier Creek Structure A, located in Eaton County, Michigan, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 2008 for flood risk reduction along Carrier Creek. With a height of 24 feet and a hydraulic height of 21 feet, the dam spans 800 feet and has a storage capacity of 153 acre-feet. The controlled spillway, 16 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 1000 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for managing water flow and reducing flood risk in the area.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of October 2020, Carrier Creek Structure A poses a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. The risk assessment for this dam is classified as very high, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and protect downstream communities from flooding events.
With Tim Walberg serving as the Congressional Representative for the area, Carrier Creek Structure A plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding community from flood risks. As an essential infrastructure for flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners and state regulators in safeguarding water resources and adapting to the challenges 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 Carrier Creek Structure A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Lansing | 908 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At East Lansing | 169 cfs | → |
| Looking Glass River Near Eagle | 163 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 42 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Sloan Creek Near Williamston | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carrier Creek Structure A.
Boat launches
- Moores River Drive Lansing
- North Clinton Street Grand Ledge
- Alliance Drive Potterville
- Howe Road Dewitt Charter Township
- Babcock Road Victor Township
Campgrounds
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Sleepy Hollow State Park
- Wheel Inn Campground
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Maple River Campground
- Creekridge Campground
Fishing spots
Track Carrier Creek Structure A 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 Carrier Creek Structure A
Where does the data for Carrier Creek Structure A 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 Carrier Creek Structure A.