Priest Lake Level Control Structure dam
Priest Lake Level Control Structure
The Priest Lake Level Control Structure in Niles, Michigan, serves as a crucial element in managing water levels and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 8.4 feet and has a hydraulic height of 5.9 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 240 acre-feet, this structure plays a significant role in facilitating recreational activities in the region while also mitigating potential flood risks.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the Priest Lake Level Control Structure is subject to regular inspections to ensure its continued functionality and safety. Operated by a private entity, this structure is primarily used for recreation purposes and is situated on the Priest Lake Outlet. With a spillway width of 6 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 160 cubic feet per second, this control structure is equipped to handle varying water levels and maintain the ecological balance of the area.
Located in Cass County, Michigan, this essential water resource infrastructure is overseen by the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a comprehensive risk management plan in place, the Priest Lake Level Control Structure stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices in the region. The structure's role in regulating water levels, supporting recreational activities, and minimizing flood risks underscores its importance in maintaining the ecological health and safety of the surrounding area.
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 Priest Lake Level Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 363 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 451 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 16 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 104 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Priest Lake Level Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Diamond Lake, 1020 Acres, Cass County
- Jasper Dairy Road Royalton Township
- Huffs Landing 49199, Porter Township
- Shore Drive 4713, Coloma Charter Township
- Paw Paw Township
- Rush Lake Road 50085, Hartford Township
Campgrounds
- Shamrock Park
- Paw Paw River Campgrounds
- Camp Betz
- Eden Springs
- Covert Park
- Covert Park Beach And Campground
Fishing spots
Track Priest Lake Level Control Structure 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 Priest Lake Level Control Structure
Where does the data for Priest Lake Level Control Structure 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 Priest Lake Level Control Structure.