Fox And Bears Dam dam
Fox And Bears Dam
Located in Flowerville, Michigan, the Fox and Bears Dam, also known as Stiverville Golf Course Dam, is a privately owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1840, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 241 feet along the Flowerfield Creek. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 310 cubic feet per second, this dam provides essential water resource management for the surrounding area.
Despite its age, the Fox and Bears Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While it has not been rated for its condition, the dam undergoes inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a spillway width of 12 feet and uncontrolled spillway type, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and protecting the local community from potential flooding events. Although it is not under the jurisdiction of any federal agency, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) oversees its regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes.
As a beloved recreational spot in Kalamazoo County, the Fox and Bears Dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities and water enthusiasts. Its historical significance and functional design make it a vital landmark in the region, showcasing the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and leisure opportunities. With a commitment to safety and risk management measures, this dam continues to provide valuable services for both locals and visitors alike.
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 Fox And Bears Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 10 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 1,490 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 14 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 56 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 977 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fox And Bears Dam.
Boat launches
- Porter Township
- Fishing Site Road Fabius Township
- Riverwalk Trail Three Rivers
- Jefferson Street Three Rivers
- Lucas Road 10017, Newberg Township
- Huffs Landing 49199, Porter Township
Campgrounds
- Camp Rota-Kiwan
- Nottawa Park
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Markin Glen County Park
- Improved Campground
- Cold Brook County Park
Fishing spots
Track Fox And Bears 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 Fox And Bears Dam
Where does the data for Fox And Bears 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 Fox And Bears Dam.