Jackson Prison Dam dam
Jackson Prison Dam
The Jackson Prison Dam, located in Onondaga, Michigan, is a state-regulated earth dam with a primary purpose designated as "Other." Completed in 1970, this dam stands at a height of 16.25 feet with a maximum storage capacity of 145 acre-feet. It is situated on a tributary to the Grand River and covers a surface area of 16 acres, serving as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the Jackson Prison Dam is associated with a very high risk assessment rating of 1. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last inspection taking place in October 2020. The dam features a controlled spillway type with a width of 1 foot, and it is monitored by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) to ensure compliance with state regulations and enforcement measures.
With its strategic location and vital role in water management, the Jackson Prison Dam serves as a key infrastructure asset in Jackson, Michigan. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change awareness can appreciate the dam's significance in providing both water storage and flood control capabilities, all while being subject to rigorous state oversight and inspection protocols to ensure public safety and environmental compliance.
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 Jackson Prison 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 | → |
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 41 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jackson Prison Dam.
Boat launches
- Maplegrove Road 1028, Rives Township
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Tompkins Road Tompkins Township
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Loveland Road Waterloo Village
Campgrounds
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Pleasant Lake
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Creekridge Campground
- Wheel Inn Campground
- Horsemen's Equestrian Campground
Track Jackson Prison 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 Jackson Prison Dam
Where does the data for Jackson Prison 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 Jackson Prison Dam.