North Lansing Dam dam
North Lansing Dam
The North Lansing Dam, located on the Grand River in Lansing, Michigan, serves primarily for recreational purposes. Constructed in 1936, this gravity dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet. With a length of 252 feet, it has a maximum storage capacity of 1810 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 500 acre-feet. The dam also features a controlled spillway with a width of 233 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 17,700 cubic feet per second.
Managed by a public utility, the North Lansing Dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during its last inspection in July 2017. The risk assessment for this structure is very high, with a DSAC assigned rating of 1. Emergency action plans and risk management measures for the dam are currently under review and development.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the North Lansing Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management of a vital water infrastructure within a populated urban area. With its rich history and continued importance for recreation and water storage, this dam serves as a focal point for understanding the complexities of balancing human needs with environmental considerations in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As efforts to address the risks associated with the dam progress, its role in the local ecosystem and community resilience will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of interest and discussion among stakeholders.
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 North Lansing Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Lansing | 877 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At East Lansing | 166 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 41 cfs | → |
| Sloan Creek Near Williamston | 2 cfs | → |
| Looking Glass River Near Eagle | 160 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Lansing Dam.
Boat launches
- Moores River Drive Lansing
- Howe Road Dewitt Charter Township
- North Clinton Street Grand Ledge
- Babcock Road Victor Township
- Alliance Drive Potterville
Campgrounds
- Sleepy Hollow State Park
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Wheel Inn Campground
- Creekridge Campground
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Pleasant Lake
Fishing spots
Track North Lansing 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 North Lansing Dam
Where does the data for North Lansing 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 Significant 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 North Lansing Dam.