King Milling Company Dam dam
King Milling Company Dam
The King Milling Company Dam, located on the Flat River in Lowell, Michigan, serves as a recreational spot with a history dating back to its completion in 1942. Owned privately and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 300 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
With a maximum storage capacity of 645 acre-feet and a normal storage of 143 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The controlled spillway, with a width of 83 feet, helps regulate water flow during periods of high discharge. Despite being assessed as in satisfactory condition as of July 2019, the dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a very high risk assessment ranking. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and emergency action plans are in place.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the King Milling Company Dam stands as a vital structure in the region, providing both recreational opportunities and water management capabilities. Its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts underscore the importance of sustainable management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 King Milling Company Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Ionia | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 239 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 4,000 cfs | → |
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 252 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Portland | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near King Milling Company Dam.
Boat launches
- Cascade Road Southeast 14216, Lowell Charter Township
- Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail-Trail Saranac
- Boating Access Site Ada Township
- 84th Street Southeast 9620, Bowne Township
- Knapp Street Northeast Ada Township
- Silk City Nature Trail Belding
Campgrounds
- Ionia State Rec Area
- Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
- Bertha Brock County Park
- Wabasis Lake County Park
- Camp Greenwood
- Tyden City Park
Fishing spots
Track King Milling Company 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 King Milling Company Dam
Where does the data for King Milling Company 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 King Milling Company Dam.