Putney Dam dam
Putney Dam
Putney Dam, also known as Putney Mill Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Jackson, Michigan, along the Mill Creek. Constructed in 1848, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 200 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 40 cubic feet per second.
Despite its historical significance, Putney Dam is currently in poor condition with a low hazard potential. Its last inspection in 2004 raised concerns about its structural integrity, prompting a risk assessment rating of "Very High (1)". While the dam is regulated and inspected by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, there are no active risk management measures in place to address the identified vulnerabilities.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, the deteriorating state of Putney Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring of aging infrastructure. With its location in a populated area and potential risks associated with a failing dam, there is a pressing need for immediate attention to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the ecological balance along Mill Creek.
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 Putney Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Jackson | 86 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 17 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 274 cfs | → |
| Bean Creek At Powers Oh | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Putney Dam.
Boat launches
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
- Deep Lake Road Cambridge Township
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 Putney 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 Putney Dam
Where does the data for Putney 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 Putney Dam.