Algonquin Lake Dam dam
Algonquin Lake Dam
Algonquin Lake Dam, located in Barry County, Michigan, serves as a vital recreational resource in the area with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities. Built in 1927, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 300 feet in length. It has a storage capacity of 1070 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 580 acre-feet and a surface area of 271 acres.
Managed by a private owner, the dam is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE and undergoes regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting processes to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being deemed as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory as of the last inspection in December 2018. With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge rate of 334 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow along Kurtz Creek.
Algonquin Lake Dam stands as a key feature in the local landscape, providing both recreational opportunities and essential water management functions. As a significant risk factor is identified, ongoing risk management measures and regular inspections are crucial to maintaining the dam's safety and integrity for the community and surrounding environment. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of this dam as it continues to serve its dual purposes effectively in the changing environmental landscape.
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 Algonquin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 252 cfs | → |
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 46 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 28 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 37 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Ionia | 1,990 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Algonquin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Leach Lake Road Carlton Township
- 84th Street Southeast 9620, Bowne Township
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- Tasker Road Odessa Township
- Green Lake Boat Launch
- Cascade Road Southeast 14216, Lowell Charter Township
Campgrounds
- Tyden City Park
- Barry Expo Center
- Winding Creek Campground
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Algonquin Lake 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 Algonquin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Algonquin Lake 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 Algonquin Lake Dam.