Spring Valley Park Dam, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a significant earth dam completed in 1956 primarily for recreation purposes.
Wind
Humidity
With a structural height of 13 feet and a hydraulic height of 11.9 feet, the dam spans 585 feet and has a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. The dam sits on a tributary to the Kalamazoo River and is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE, with state inspection and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 9 feet and a maximum discharge of 196 cubic feet per second. The hazard potential is deemed significant, yet the overall condition assessment is fair. The dam is regularly inspected every 4 years, with the last assessment conducted in October 2018. Despite the identified risks, the dam's risk assessment is categorized as very high, reflecting the need for continued monitoring and management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Spring Valley Park Dam a valuable case study in dam infrastructure management and risk assessment in the context of recreational water systems.
Year Completed |
1956 |
Dam Length |
585 |
Dam Height |
13 |
River Or Stream |
Trib to Kalamazoo River |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
64 |
Hydraulic Height |
11.9 |
Drainage Area |
2.1 |
Nid Storage |
300 |
Structural Height |
13 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Nid Height |
13 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Markin Glen County Park
|
||
Camp Rota-Kiwan
|
||
Improved Campground
|
||
Camp Merrie Wood
|
||
Fort Custer State Rec Area
|
||
Cold Brook County Park
|