East Jordan Dam dam
East Jordan Dam
East Jordan Dam, also known as Lake Patricia Dam, is a private dam located in East Jordan, Michigan along the Deer Creek. Built in 1900, this Earth-type dam stands at 23 feet tall and spans 315 feet in length, providing recreational purposes for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 865 acre-feet and a surface area of 65 acres, the dam serves as a significant water resource in Charlevoix County.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the East Jordan Dam is regularly inspected for safety and maintenance. Its condition assessment in 2018 rated it as fair, with a significant hazard potential. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 75 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 655 cubic feet per second. Despite moderate risk factors, the dam continues to be a vital structure for water management and recreation in the region.
While the East Jordan Dam faces some risk challenges, its historical significance and ongoing management make it a crucial asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management in the face of changing climate 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 East Jordan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 221 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 315 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 113 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 245 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 347 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Jordan Dam.
Boat launches
- Rogers Road 7059, South Arm Township
- Webster Bridge Road 4802, Jordan Township
- Nagashi Road South Arm Township
- Boat Ramp Access South Arm Township
- Six Mile Lake Road Echo Township
- West Old State Road 1467, Jordan Township
Campgrounds
- East Jordan Tourist Park
- Pleasant Valley Bible Camp
- Wooden Shoe County Park
- Whiting County Park
- Graves Crossing - State Forest
- Graves Crossing State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Charlevoix
- Pine River
- Lime Kiln Pond
- Elk River
- East Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- West Arm Grand Traverse Bay
Paddle runs
Track East Jordan 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 East Jordan Dam
Where does the data for East Jordan 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 Significant 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 East Jordan Dam.