Taylor Dam dam
Taylor Dam
Taylor Dam in Pavilion, Michigan, stands as a vital structure along the Portage River, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1929. This privately-owned Earth-type dam boasts a height of 13 feet and a length of 400 feet, with a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Taylor Dam has not been rated for its current condition. The last inspection dates back to June 1993, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. While emergency action plans and inundation maps are not available, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and 130 cubic feet per second maximum discharge capacity suggest a level of preparedness for potential flooding events. With its location in Kalamazoo County and alignment with state jurisdiction and regulations, Taylor Dam remains an essential feature in the local water resource management landscape.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Michigan can appreciate the historical significance and recreational value that Taylor Dam brings to the Pavilion community. As a symbol of human interaction with the environment, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water management, safety, and sustainable recreation. With ongoing state oversight and periodic inspections, Taylor Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts required to maintain and protect our water resources in a changing climate.
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 Taylor Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 947 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 36 cfs | → |
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 50 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 13 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 648 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Taylor Dam.
Boat launches
- East M N Avenue Charleston Township
- East Michigan Avenue 188, Galesburg
- Charter Township Of Comstock
- Plaza Avenue Charter Township Of Comstock
- Charleston Township
Campgrounds
- Improved Campground
- Cold Brook County Park
- Fort Custer State Rec Area
- Markin Glen County Park
- Camp Rota-Kiwan
- Camp Merrie Wood
More reservoirs
Track Taylor 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 Taylor Dam
Where does the data for Taylor 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 Taylor Dam.