Ray C. Andres Dam dam
Ray C. Andres Dam
Located in Mecosta, Michigan, the Ray C. Andres Dam, also known as Dalziel Creek Dam, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Constructed in 1971 by the USDA NRCS, this private-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes along the Dalziel Creek. With a height of 15 feet and a length of 800 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 102 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's spillway, with a width of 80 feet, helps control water discharge during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding downstream. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is subject to moderate risk due to its age and the surrounding environmental factors.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Ray C. Andres Dam serves as a vital infrastructure that highlights the intersection between human development and environmental stewardship. With its strategic location in Big Rapids and proximity to the Chicago District, the dam stands as a beacon of responsible water management, offering a glimpse into the intricate balance between recreation, conservation, and climate resilience. As we continue to face challenges posed by climate change, dams like Ray C. Andres play a crucial role in safeguarding our water resources for future generations.
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 Ray C. Andres Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 244 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 2,260 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pine River Near Tustin | 32 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 283 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 238 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ray C. Andres Dam.
Boat launches
- Public Road Colfax Township
- Cypress Avenue 7680, Norwich Township
- Grant Township
- 205th Avenue Mecosta Township
Campgrounds
- Hungerford Lake
- Cran-Hill Ranch
- Haymarsh State Game Area
- Blodgett Landing
- Rambadt City Park
- Brush Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- Fishing Peir
- Idlewild Lake
- Lake To The Hills
- Baptist Lake
- Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe And Fishing Landing
- St. Hubert Angler Parking
Paddle runs
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
Track Ray C. Andres 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 Ray C. Andres Dam
Where does the data for Ray C. Andres 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 Ray C. Andres Dam.