Babcocks Pond Dam dam
Babcocks Pond Dam
Babcocks Pond Dam, also known as Marstons Dam, is a private earth dam located in Blanchard, Michigan. Completed in 1973, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and has a structural height of 18 feet and a length of 210 feet. It holds a maximum storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and has a normal storage level of 44 acre-feet, with a surface area of 9 acres and a drainage area of 0.3 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition according to a condition assessment conducted in 1997. It has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 6 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 15 cubic feet per second. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), which regulates its operation, inspection, and enforcement.
While Babcocks Pond Dam poses a moderate risk, with a risk assessment rating of 3, the dam lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated emergency contacts. The last inspection was conducted in 1997 with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor the condition of Babcocks Pond Dam and advocate for proper maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
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 Babcocks Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 43 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 163 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 129 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 799 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Maple Rapids | 79 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Babcocks Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Babcocks Pond Dam
Where does the data for Babcocks Pond 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 below 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.
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.