Smithville dam
Smithville
Located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Smithville is a private hydroelectric dam on the Grand River with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1913. With a dam height of 14 feet and a hydraulic height of 17 feet, Smithville serves as a critical source of hydroelectric power in the region. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a drainage area of 605 square miles, making it a significant resource for water management in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Smithville is classified as a low hazard dam with a moderate risk assessment. The dam features a unique uncontrolled spillway and is equipped with slide, tainter, and vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term sustainability. With its picturesque location and vital role in generating renewable energy, Smithville stands as a testament to the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
Overall, Smithville represents a fascinating blend of engineering marvel and environmental stewardship. As a key player in Michigan's water infrastructure, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing energy production with ecosystem preservation. With ongoing risk management measures and regular inspections, Smithville continues to be a symbol of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Smithville -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 41 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At East Lansing | 166 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Lansing | 877 cfs | → |
| Sloan Creek Near Williamston | 2 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Jackson | 86 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smithville .
Boat launches
- Mcarthur River Drive 998, Eaton Rapids
- Gale Road Onondaga Township
- Tompkins Road Tompkins Township
- Alliance Drive Potterville
- Moores River Drive Lansing
- Maplegrove Road 1028, Rives Township
Campgrounds
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Wheel Inn Campground
- Pleasant Lake
- Creekridge Campground
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
Track Smithville 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 Smithville
Where does the data for Smithville 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 Smithville .