Morrow dam
Morrow
Morrow is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located on the Kalamazoo River in Comstock, Michigan. Built in 1941, this gravity dam stands at 26 feet tall and spans 3700 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 6000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 11200 cubic feet per second, Morrow plays a crucial role in harnessing the river's energy for power generation.
The dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has a controlled spillway with a width of 48 feet. Its hazard potential is classified as high, with a very high risk assessment score of 1. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is not available, indicating potential maintenance needs or concerns. The emergency action plan (EAP) for Morrow was last revised in July 2020, but details on its compliance with guidelines and risk management measures are not provided.
Given its significant role in hydroelectric power generation and the potential risks associated with its high hazard potential, Morrow is a critical structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor. The dam's location on the Kalamazoo River in Michigan highlights its importance in the region's water infrastructure and the need for ongoing inspection and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and efficiency.
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 Morrow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 969 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 51 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 12 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 37 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 8 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 668 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morrow .
Boat launches
- Lillian Court 216, Charter Township Of Comstock
- Plaza Avenue Charter Township Of Comstock
- Charter Township Of Comstock
- East Michigan Avenue 188, Galesburg
- Charleston Township
Track Morrow 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 Morrow
Where does the data for Morrow 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 High 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 Morrow .