Steenwyk Dam dam
Steenwyk Dam
Steenwyk Dam, also known as Black Creek Watershed Structure 8, is a local government-owned structure located in Holland, Michigan. Constructed in 1990 by Capital Con and USDA-SCS designers, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet with a hydraulic height of 26 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction in the area. The dam boasts a normal storage capacity of 34 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.26 square miles, providing essential protection to the surrounding community.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Steenwyk Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Michigan DEGLE agency to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 1 foot, allowing for controlled release of excess water. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has not undergone any significant modifications since its completion, and emergency action plans are in place to address any potential incidents that may arise.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the critical role that Steenwyk Dam plays in mitigating flood risks and protecting the local ecosystem. Its strategic location along a tributary to the Macatawa River highlights its importance in managing water flow and maintaining the ecological balance of the region. As a well-maintained and regulated structure, Steenwyk Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and serves as a vital asset in safeguarding the community against natural disasters.
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 Steenwyk Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 18 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 3,810 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 47 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 237 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steenwyk Dam.
Boat launches
- 28th Avenue Georgetown Township
- Linden Drive 10037, Tallmadge Township
- 4th Avenue Tallmadge Township
- Veterans Memorial Drive Southwest Walker
- Deer Creek County Park
- Eastmanville Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Silver Creek Campground
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Tanglefoot Park
- Ely Lake Campground
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
Track Steenwyk 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 Steenwyk Dam
Where does the data for Steenwyk 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 Steenwyk Dam.