Sterner Dam dam
Sterner Dam
Sterner Dam, also known as Thomas Dam, is a private hydroelectric structure situated in Ionia, Michigan, along Prairie Creek. Built in 1921, this gravity dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a length of 52 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. It serves as a controlled spillway with a width of 68 feet, ensuring a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. Despite its age, Sterner Dam has not been rated for its current condition and has not undergone inspection since 1981.
Although not regulated or permitted by the state, Sterner Dam continues to operate for its primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. It is located within the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, with no associated federal agencies providing funding, design, construction, or regulatory oversight. The dam's surrounding area covers a surface area of 4 acres and offers a unique opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore a historic piece of infrastructure that contributes to the local energy grid. With its intriguing history and potential for further risk management measures, Sterner Dam presents an interesting case study for those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Sterner Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Ionia | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Portland | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 31 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Maple Rapids | 171 cfs | → |
| Looking Glass River Near Eagle | 149 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 259 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sterner Dam.
Boat launches
- Ionia Grand River Boat Ramp
- South Tabor Street 270, Lyons
- East Bluewater Highway Muir
- Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail-Trail Saranac
- Silk City Nature Trail Belding
- Cascade Road Southeast 14216, Lowell Charter Township
Campgrounds
- Bertha Brock County Park
- Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
- Ionia State Rec Area
- Maple River Campground
- Camp Greenwood
- Wabasis Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Track Sterner 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 Sterner Dam
Where does the data for Sterner 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 Sterner Dam.