Giesler Dam dam
Giesler Dam
Giesler Dam, also known as Giesler Pond Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Bellevue, Michigan. Built in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 170 feet in length. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving as a critical infrastructure along a tributary to Battle Creek.
With a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet, Giesler Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the region, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition and has not undergone recent inspections. While it lacks certain safety features such as an engineered spillway, it continues to provide essential flood protection for the surrounding area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the impact of infrastructure like Giesler Dam on local ecosystems and communities, there remains a need for ongoing assessment and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in mitigating flood risks. With its strategic location and historical significance in flood risk reduction efforts, Giesler Dam exemplifies the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship in water resource management.
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 Giesler Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 28 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek At Battle Creek | 204 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 697 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Marshall | 358 cfs | → |
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 234 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Giesler Dam.
Boat launches
- East Capital Avenue 398, Bellevue
- South Wattles Road Emmett Charter Township
- Marshall Township
- Latimer Lane 241, Battle Creek
- Alliance Drive Potterville
- West Saint Joseph Highway Sunfield Township
Campgrounds
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Winding Creek Campground
- Barry Expo Center
- Tyden City Park
- Fort Custer State Rec Area
- Cold Brook County Park
Track Giesler 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 Giesler Dam
Where does the data for Giesler 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 Giesler Dam.