Maple Lake Dam dam
Maple Lake Dam
Maple Lake Dam, also known as the Paw Paw Hydroelectric Plant Dam, is a significant water resource structure located in Lawrence, Michigan. Built in 1908, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 400 feet in length, with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam regulates the flow of the S Branch Paw Paw River, with a normal storage capacity of 1846 acre-feet and a drainage area of 94.3 square miles.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment marked as fair, Maple Lake Dam poses a risk that is classified as very high (1). Despite these challenges, the dam is regularly inspected, with the last assessment conducted in July 2018. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 29 feet, helping to manage maximum discharge rates of up to 4640 cubic feet per second. This critical infrastructure is state-regulated and permitted, ensuring it meets necessary safety and operational standards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Maple Lake Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the complexities and responsibilities associated with managing a vital water structure. As a local government-owned facility in Van Buren County, Michigan, the dam plays a crucial role in recreation and water regulation. Its historical significance, combined with its risk management measures and ongoing inspections, highlight the importance of maintaining and monitoring such essential infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing water resource challenges.
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 Maple Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 11 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 15 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 67 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 68 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 1,320 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maple Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Sunset Park Boat Launch
- Paw Paw Township
- County Road 653 Pine Grove Township
- Brandywine Lake Road 31738, Pine Grove
- 24th Street 46683, Columbia Township
- County Road 380 47089, Columbia Township
Campgrounds
- Camp Rota-Kiwan
- Markin Glen County Park
- Paw Paw River Campgrounds
- Brookside City Park
- Ely Lake Campground
- Youth Campground
Fishing spots
Track Maple Lake 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 Maple Lake Dam
Where does the data for Maple Lake 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 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 Maple Lake Dam.