Cascade dam
Cascade
Cascade is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Ada, Michigan, along the Thornapple River. Built in 1927, this multi-arch dam stands at a height of 41 feet and has a hydraulic height of 27.5 feet. With a storage capacity of 4300 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 23,000 cubic feet per second, Cascade plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and generating hydroelectric power for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Cascade is a state-regulated dam that undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 95 feet and four Tainter (radial) outlet gates for efficient water release. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Cascade is equipped with emergency action plans and risk management measures to mitigate potential dangers and safeguard the surrounding communities.
Despite its age, Cascade remains a vital piece of infrastructure for water resource management and renewable energy production in Kent County, Michigan. Its historical significance, combined with its modern regulatory oversight and operational capabilities, make it a fascinating subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of hydroelectric power, dam safety, and environmental sustainability.
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 Cascade -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 3,860 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 215 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 47 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Ionia | 1,970 cfs | → |
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 259 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cascade .
Boat launches
- Boating Access Site Ada Township
- Barnard Street Southeast East Grand Rapids
- Knapp Street Northeast Ada Township
- 84th Street Southeast 9620, Bowne Township
- Cascade Road Southeast 14216, Lowell Charter Township
- Grand Rapids Riverwalk East Grand Rapids
Campgrounds
- Wabasis Lake County Park
- Ionia State Rec Area
- Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
- Bertha Brock County Park
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- 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
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
Track Cascade 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 Cascade
Where does the data for Cascade 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 Cascade .