Berrien Springs Dam dam
Berrien Springs Dam
The Berrien Springs Dam, located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, is a gravity dam constructed in 1908 on the Saint Joseph River. With a height of 36 feet and a hydraulic height of 31.5 feet, the dam serves primarily for hydroelectric purposes, providing a maximum storage capacity of 6,400 acre-feet and a normal storage of 5,500 acre-feet. The dam boasts a spillway width of 270 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 61,000 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for water resource management in the region.
Owned privately, the Berrien Springs Dam is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE agency and is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement. The dam's condition assessment as of November 2019 was deemed satisfactory, with a high hazard potential due to its location and size. Despite the risks associated with its very high risk assessment rating, the dam continues to play a vital role in the region's water resource management, providing not only hydroelectric power but also contributing to flood control and recreation opportunities.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is expected to meet guidelines, although the last revision date was noted as December 2020. With its historical significance, high hazard potential, and critical role in water resource management, the Berrien Springs Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure for climate enthusiasts and water resource professionals alike.
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 Berrien Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 363 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Galien River Near Sawyer | 65 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 16 cfs | → |
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 451 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Berrien Springs Dam.
Track Berrien Springs 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 Berrien Springs Dam
Where does the data for Berrien Springs 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 Berrien Springs Dam.