Horton Dam dam
Horton Dam
Horton Dam, located in Horton, Michigan, was completed in 1850 and serves as a crucial structure along the North Branch Kalamazoo River. With a primary purpose of recreation, this gravity dam stands at a height of 6.4 feet and has a length of 700 feet. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7 acres, playing a significant role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Horton Dam remains in fair condition according to a recent assessment conducted in October 2020. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with regular inspections ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a hazard potential classified as significant and a risk assessment rating of very high, it is essential for the management to continuously monitor and implement appropriate risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and environment.
As a popular spot for recreational activities, Horton Dam offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. The controlled spillway with a width of 9 feet helps to manage water flow during periods of excess discharge. With its historical significance and ongoing role in water resource management, Horton Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Horton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Jackson | 86 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 17 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 339 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horton Dam.
Boat launches
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
- Falling Waters Trail Concord
- Pulaski Road 7400, Pulaski Township
Campgrounds
- Swains Lake
- Wildwood Acres Campground
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Pleasant Lake
- W. J. Hayes State Park
Track Horton 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 Horton Dam
Where does the data for Horton 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 Significant 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 Horton Dam.