Root Dam dam
Root Dam
Root Dam, located in Tallmadge, Michigan, along the Sand Creek river, was completed in 1860 and primarily serves the purpose of recreation. This private earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 500 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 84 feet to manage water discharge effectively.
Despite its age, Root Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam dates back to November 1979, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as "Very High (1)", indicating the need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures. The dam's location in Ottawa County, Michigan, makes it a significant water resource structure in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in its historical significance and potential risks associated with its aging infrastructure.
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 Root Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 4,280 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 219 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Root Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Linden Drive 10037, Tallmadge Township
- 4th Avenue Tallmadge Township
- 28th Avenue Georgetown Township
- Deer Creek County Park
- Veterans Memorial Drive Southwest Walker
- Eastmanville Boat Launch
⛺ Campgrounds
- Tanglefoot Park
- Silver Creek Campground
- Wabasis Lake County Park
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Camp Greenwood
- Ed H. Henning Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
Track Root 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 Root Dam
Where does the data for Root 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 Root Dam.