Randall Dam dam
Randall Dam
Randall Dam, also known as Railroad Dam until its removal in 2002, is a historic structure located in Union City, Michigan. Completed in 1838, this earth dam on the Coldwater River serves a primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 15 feet and a length of 3000 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and a surface area of 14 acres. Despite its age, the dam remains in undetermined hazard potential and is currently not rated in terms of condition assessment.
Situated in Branch County, Michigan, Randall Dam is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 100 feet, allows for the release of excess water during times of high flow. While the dam has not been inspected since 1994, its risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, Randall Dam continues to be a significant landmark in the region, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
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 Randall Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 237 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 499 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 725 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek At Battle Creek | 194 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 109 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Randall Dam.
Boat launches
- Craig Lake Boat Launch
- Narrows Road Coldwater Township
- Coldwater Township
- Leroy Township
- Pine Grove Road 59160, Colon Township
- Marshall Township
Campgrounds
- Potawatomi Rec Area
- Angel Cove
- Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
- Marble Lake County Park
- Cold Brook County Park
Fishing spots
Track Randall 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 Randall Dam
Where does the data for Randall 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 Undetermined 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 Randall Dam.