Otsego Dam dam
Otsego Dam
The Otsego Dam, located on the Kalamazoo River in Allegan, Michigan, was completed in 1904 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This gravity dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 570 feet, with a storage capacity of 1530 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 200 feet, the dam has a maximum discharge of 3800 cubic feet per second, making it a vital structure for managing water flow in the area.
Managed by the Michigan DEGLE, the Otsego Dam is regulated, permitted, and inspected by the state, ensuring its safety and functionality. Despite being assessed as in fair condition back in 2014, the dam has a high hazard potential, warranting regular inspections and risk assessments. With a moderate risk level assigned, the dam's emergency action plan is crucial for preparedness in case of any unforeseen events, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring this essential water resource infrastructure for the community and environment.
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 Otsego Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 54 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 55 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 10 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 14 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 939 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otsego Dam.
Boat launches
- Brandywine Lake Road 31738, Pine Grove
- County Road 653 Pine Grove Township
- Prairieville Township Center Street Lake Access
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- County Road 380 47089, Columbia Township
- 24th Street 46683, Columbia Township
Campgrounds
- Brookside City Park
- Camp Merrie Wood
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Markin Glen County Park
- Ely Lake Campground
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Otsego 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 Otsego Dam
Where does the data for Otsego 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 Otsego Dam.