Cross Dike Dam dam
Cross Dike Dam
Cross Dike Dam, also known as Structure #2, is a state-owned earth dam located in New Richmond, Michigan, along Swan Creek. Built in 1959, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 109 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 660 acre-feet. With a structural height of 10.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 7.8 feet, the dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in October 2019.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Cross Dike Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 12 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 75 cubic feet per second. While no associated structures or locks are present, the dam's drainage area is relatively small at 0.4 square miles. The risk assessment for Cross Dike Dam is moderate (3), indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the significance of Cross Dike Dam in providing both recreational opportunities and flood control along Swan Creek. Its location, design, and management by state authorities showcase a commitment to water resource management and public safety. As one of Michigan's notable earth dams, Cross Dike Dam stands as a vital infrastructure piece in the region, contributing to water storage, flood protection, and environmental stewardship efforts.
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 Cross Dike Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 69 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cross Dike Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Hutchins Lake Boat Launch
- Hacklander Boating Access Site Saugatuck Township
- Schultz Park Boating Access Site Douglas
- Bayou Street 87, Douglas
- 65th Street 3698, Laketown Township
- County Road 380 47089, Columbia Township
⛺ Campgrounds
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Ely Lake Campground
- Silver Creek Campground
- Brookside City Park
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Youth Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Cross Dike 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 Cross Dike Dam
Where does the data for Cross Dike 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 Cross Dike Dam.