Crystal Lake Dam dam
Crystal Lake Dam
Crystal Lake Dam in Hillsdale, Michigan, stands as a vital structure in the region, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1976. This earth dam, with a height of 10.2 feet and a hydraulic height of 2.2 feet, holds a storage capacity of 290 acre-feet. The dam's controlled spillway and satisfactory condition assessment ensure low hazard potential, providing a sense of safety for nearby communities.
Located in the Detroit District, Crystal Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources for the tributaries of the Grand River. Despite being privately owned, the dam operates without state regulation or permitting, reflecting its efficient and well-maintained status. With a surface area of 125 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 290 acre-feet, the dam contributes significantly to the local ecosystem and recreational activities in the area.
While Crystal Lake Dam has not been modified in recent years, its risk assessment remains very high due to its critical role in flood control and water management. The dam's emergency action plan, hazard potential, and risk management measures are closely monitored, ensuring the safety and well-being of the surrounding community. Overall, Crystal Lake Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Crystal Lake 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 | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 274 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
| Bean Creek At Powers Oh | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Deep Lake Road Cambridge Township
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
Campgrounds
- Swains Lake
- Wildwood Acres Campground
- W. J. Hayes State Park
- Lake Hudson State Rec Area
- Lake Hudson Semi-Modern Campground
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
Track Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake Dam
Where does the data for Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake Dam.