Lamberson Dam dam
Lamberson Dam
Lamberson Dam, also known as Palmer & Long Lakes Dam, is a private-owned structure located in St. Joseph, Michigan, specifically in the city of Colon. Completed in 1839, this gravity-type dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a height of 16 feet and a controlled spillway width of 87 feet. The dam stands as a significant structure on Swan Creek, providing a storage capacity of 4375 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2050 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Lamberson Dam has undergone regular inspections, with the most recent assessment in November 2019 rating its condition as satisfactory. Despite its hazard potential being deemed significant, the risk assessment categorizes it as having a very high risk level (1). With a drainage area of 112 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 2400 acre-feet, the dam's surface area spans 670 acres, offering both recreational and environmental benefits to the surrounding community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lamberson Dam presents an intriguing case study in sustainable dam management and risk mitigation. As a historic structure with a long-standing presence in Michigan's landscape, the dam's continued operation underscores the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness. With a focus on recreation and water storage, Lamberson Dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem, balancing the needs of human activity with the preservation of natural resources along Swan Creek.
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 Lamberson 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 | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 321 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 939 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lamberson Dam.
Boat launches
- Pine Grove Road 59160, Colon Township
- Prairie Lake Road 64873, Sherman Township
- Findley Road 23906, Nottawa Township
- Robin Lee Lane Sherman Township
- East Fawn River Road 29783, Fawn River
- Gilead Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Nottawa Park
- Cade Lake County Park
- Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater
- Angel Cove
- Potawatomi Rec Area
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
Fishing spots
Track Lamberson 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 Lamberson Dam
Where does the data for Lamberson 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 Significant 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 Lamberson Dam.