Norvell Dam dam
Norvell Dam
Norvell Dam, also known as Norvell Mill Pond, is a privately owned structure located in Norvell, Michigan, along the River Raisin. Constructed in 1839, this Earth type dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a length of 330 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 156 acres and a normal storage capacity of 400 acre-feet.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Norvell Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safe operation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is rated as having a very high risk due to its age and condition. The last inspection in 2016 deemed the dam's condition as satisfactory, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years.
While Norvell Dam provides recreational opportunities for visitors, its historical significance and environmental impact on the River Raisin watershed make it a vital structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With ongoing risk assessments and management measures in place, the dam continues to play a role in the local ecosystem and community as a beloved landmark along the river.
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 Norvell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 23 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Jackson | 100 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 52 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 222 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Saline | 49 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 445 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norvell Dam.
Boat launches
- Wamplers Lake Road 1280, Cambridge Township
- Wamplers Lake Road Cambridge Township
- Us 12 9697, Cambridge Township
- Deep Lake Road Cambridge Township
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Bemis Road Bridgewater Township
Campgrounds
- W. J. Hayes State Park
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Horsemen's Equestrian Campground
- Burns Cabins
- Sugarloaf Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Green Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
Track Norvell 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 Norvell Dam
Where does the data for Norvell 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 Norvell Dam.