Mirror Lake Dam dam
Mirror Lake Dam
Mirror Lake Dam, located in Liberty, Michigan, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Built in 1966, this earth dam stands at 21 feet high and spans 865 feet across the Grand River, serving primarily for recreational purposes with a storage capacity of 745 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 19 feet, and it has a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in October 2020.
With a drainage area of 4.26 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second, Mirror Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Its location within the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its importance in the local ecosystem. While the dam poses a moderate risk according to the latest assessment, emergency action plans have been prepared to ensure public safety in case of any unforeseen events.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the role of dams in mitigating floods and providing recreational opportunities, Mirror Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure in Jackson County. With ongoing state inspections and regulatory oversight, this dam serves as a symbol of responsible water management and environmental stewardship in the region, contributing to the resilience of the local community 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 Mirror Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Jackson | 85 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 17 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 37 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 243 cfs | → |
| Bean Creek At Powers Oh | 164 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mirror Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Deep Lake Road Cambridge Township
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
Campgrounds
- Swains Lake
- Wildwood Acres Campground
- W. J. Hayes State Park
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Lake Hudson State Rec Area
- Lake Hudson Semi-Modern Campground
Track Mirror Lake 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 Mirror Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mirror Lake 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 Mirror Lake Dam.