Kerswill Lake Dam dam
Kerswill Lake Dam
Kerswill Lake Dam, located in Beaverton, Michigan, is a privately owned structure that serves as a vital recreational resource in the area. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 1020 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 315 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 234 acre-feet, the dam helps regulate the flow of the Kerswill Lake Outlet, providing water for various recreational activities while also serving as a critical habitat for local wildlife.
Managed and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Kerswill Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 13 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 300 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment level, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are currently not specified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of this important water resource.
As a key feature of the local landscape, Kerswill Lake Dam not only provides valuable recreational opportunities for the community but also plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts. With its historical significance and environmental impact, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible stewardship of our natural resources in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water-related 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 Kerswill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 127 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 373 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 298 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 495 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 376 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 259 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kerswill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Boat Launch (Concrete, Public) Harrison
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- Washington Road 4863, Grant Township
- Lone Pine Road 2708, Grant Township
Campgrounds
- Gladwin City Park
- Calhoun City Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Wilson State Park
- Herrick Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Kerswill 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 Kerswill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kerswill 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 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 Kerswill Lake Dam.