Blackhawk Dam dam
Blackhawk Dam
Blackhawk Dam, located on the Coldwater River in Coldwater, Michigan, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Built in 1830, the dam stands at a height of 17 feet with a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a length of 1040 feet. It has a storage capacity of 276 acre-feet and a drainage area of 72 square miles, making it an important water resource in the area.
Despite its historical significance, Blackhawk Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in October 2016 revealed that the dam may be at risk, as it is classified as having a very high risk level. The dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are unclear, raising concerns among water resource and climate enthusiasts about its safety and the potential impact of a failure on the surrounding community.
As the only dam on the Coldwater River, Blackhawk Dam plays a crucial role in water management and recreation in Branch, Michigan. Its deteriorating condition and high risk level underscore the importance of regular maintenance and investment in infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts should monitor developments concerning Blackhawk Dam to advocate for necessary improvements and safeguard the local environment.
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 Blackhawk Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 36 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 224 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 108 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 85 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 329 cfs | → |
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackhawk Dam.
Boat launches
- Coldwater Township
- Narrows Road Coldwater Township
- Pleasant View Drive 499, Ovid Township
- Shady Oaks Boat Launch
- Craig Lake Boat Launch
- Loon Lake Ramp
Campgrounds
- Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
- Angel Cove
- Marble Lake County Park
- Potawatomi Rec Area
- Pokagon State Park
Fishing spots
Track Blackhawk 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 Blackhawk Dam
Where does the data for Blackhawk 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 Blackhawk Dam.