Upjohn Dam dam
Upjohn Dam
Upjohn Dam, also known as Castle Creek Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Galesburg, Michigan, along the Castle Creek river. Built in 1845, this historic Earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 100 feet in length, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a maximum storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 70 acre-feet, the dam also features a controlled spillway with a width of 17 feet to manage water discharge.
Despite its age, Upjohn Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed as being in "Not Rated" condition. The dam is subject to regular inspections, with an inspection frequency of 5 years, although the last recorded inspection date was in 1901. While the structure meets guidelines for risk assessment, with a very high risk level assigned, there are currently no specific risk management measures or emergency action plans in place for this dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upjohn Dam offers a glimpse into the historical development of water infrastructure in Michigan. Its tranquil setting on Castle Creek provides opportunities for recreation while also highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring aging dams to ensure public safety and environmental protection. As efforts continue to assess and manage the risks associated with this dam, there is a growing need for proactive measures to safeguard both the structure and the surrounding community from potential hazards.
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 Upjohn Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 969 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 37 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 51 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 12 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 668 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upjohn Dam.
Boat launches
- East Michigan Avenue 188, Galesburg
- Charter Township Of Comstock
- Plaza Avenue Charter Township Of Comstock
- East M N Avenue Charleston Township
- Charleston Township
Campgrounds
- Improved Campground
- Cold Brook County Park
- Fort Custer State Rec Area
- Markin Glen County Park
- Camp Rota-Kiwan
- Camp Merrie Wood
More reservoirs
Track Upjohn 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 Upjohn Dam
Where does the data for Upjohn 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 Upjohn Dam.