Kings Mill Dam dam
Kings Mill Dam
Located in Kings Mill, Michigan, the Kings Mill Dam is a local government-owned structure on the Nottawa Creek. Built in 1836, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 350 feet in length. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam provides a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2792 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, the Kings Mill Dam is in fair condition with a low hazard potential according to the latest inspection in November 2017. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 103 feet, ensuring the safe release of excess water. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 23 acres and a drainage area of 176 square miles, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Kings Mill Dam continues to be a vital part of the local community. With its moderate risk assessment and regular inspections, this historic structure serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and preserving water resources in the face of changing climates.
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 Kings Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 109 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 1,570 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 237 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 939 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 14 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kings Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Pine Grove Road 59160, Colon Township
- Findley Road 23906, Nottawa Township
- Prairie Lake Road 64873, Sherman Township
- Jefferson Street Three Rivers
- Riverwalk Trail Three Rivers
- Robin Lee Lane Sherman Township
Campgrounds
- Nottawa Park
- Cade Lake County Park
- Improved Campground
- Cold Brook County Park
- Angel Cove
- Potawatomi Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Kings Mill 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 Kings Mill Dam
Where does the data for Kings Mill 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 Kings Mill Dam.