Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure dam
Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure
The Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure, also known as Hodunk Dam, is a privately owned dam located in Branch, Michigan. Constructed in 1847, this earth dam stands at 14 feet tall and spans 560 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 1160 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 6800 acre-feet.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), this dam is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. With a controlled spillway width of 160 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 3840 cubic feet per second, the structure is equipped to handle potential flooding events with a low hazard potential. The dam's condition assessment in 2019 deemed it to be in satisfactory condition, further emphasizing its importance in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its age, the Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure continues to play a crucial role in water management along the Coldwater River. With a very high risk assessment rating, efforts are being made to ensure the dam meets safety guidelines and remains a key asset for recreational activities and flood control in the region.
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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 245 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 39 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 391 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 111 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek At Battle Creek | 199 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Craig Lake Boat Launch
- Narrows Road Coldwater Township
- Coldwater Township
- Marble Lake Boat Launch
- Bennett Road Algansee Township
- Pleasant View Drive 499, Ovid Township
Campgrounds
- Angel Cove
- Potawatomi Rec Area
- Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
- Marble Lake County Park
- Wildwood Acres Campground
Fishing spots
Track Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure
Where does the data for Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure 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 Morrison West Chain Lake Level Control Structure.