Kearsley Dam dam
Kearsley Dam
Nestled in Flint, Michigan, the Kearsley Dam stands as a testament to both engineering prowess and natural beauty. Completed in 1929, this gravity dam serves primarily as a recreational hub, offering visitors a tranquil escape amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Genesee County. With a dam height of 33 feet and a hydraulic height of 31 feet, the Kearsley Dam boasts a storage capacity of 3250 acre-feet and a surface area of 250 acres, making it a vital component in the region's water resource management system.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Kearsley Dam exemplifies the importance of state oversight in ensuring the safety and structural integrity of such critical infrastructure. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, thanks to regular inspections and maintenance efforts. Moreover, with a maximum discharge capacity of 6235 cubic feet per second and a controlled spillway width of 50 feet, the dam is well-equipped to handle varying water levels and mitigate flood risks in the surrounding Kearsley Creek watershed.
In the face of climate change challenges and increasing water resource demands, the Kearsley Dam serves as a vital asset for both recreational enjoyment and flood control in the Flint area. As a symbol of human ingenuity harmonizing with nature's forces, this historic structure stands as a beacon of resilience and responsible water management practices for future generations to admire and uphold.
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 Kearsley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 60 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 416 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 289 cfs | → |
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 30 cfs | → |
| South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville | 190 cfs | → |
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 359 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kearsley Dam.
Boat launches
- Blue Gill Boat Launch
- Mott Lake -E, 650 Acres, Genesee County
- Holloway Reservoir, 2000 Acres, Lapeer County
- Buell Lake, Genesee County
- Lake Nepessing, 414 Acres, Lapeer County
- Lake Fenton, 845 Acres, Genesee County
Campgrounds
- Wolverine
- Otter Lake Park
- Seven Lakes State Park
- Arthur Latham Park
- Group Camping Area 1
- Group Camping Area 2
Fishing spots
Track Kearsley 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 Kearsley Dam
Where does the data for Kearsley 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 Kearsley Dam.