Big Mosherville Dam dam
Big Mosherville Dam
Big Mosherville Dam, also known as Big Mosherville Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Mosherville, Michigan, along the South Branch Kalamazoo River. Completed in 1898, the earth dam stands at a height of 9.5 feet, with a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a structural height of 9.5 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 17 acres and a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 11 feet and a maximum discharge of 82 cubic feet per second.
Despite its historical significance, Big Mosherville Dam is currently in poor condition with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in November 2019 revealed a very high risk rating, reflecting the urgent need for maintenance and repair. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The risk assessment highlights the critical need for effective risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Big Mosherville Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of historical infrastructure, recreational opportunities, and environmental stewardship. As discussions around dam safety and risk management continue to evolve, the case of Big Mosherville Dam presents a compelling study in balancing the preservation of cultural heritage with the imperative of ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Big Mosherville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Jackson | 100 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 499 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 237 cfs | → |
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 67 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Mosherville Dam.
Boat launches
- Pulaski Road 7400, Pulaski Township
- Falling Waters Trail Concord
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Waterman Street Homer
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
Campgrounds
- Wildwood Acres Campground
- Swains Lake
- Marble Lake County Park
- Potawatomi Rec Area
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
- Angel Cove
Track Big Mosherville 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 Big Mosherville Dam
Where does the data for Big Mosherville 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 Big Mosherville Dam.