Lombard Lake Dam dam
Lombard Lake Dam
Lombard Lake Dam, also known as Merkel Dam, is a state-regulated structure located in Hillsdale, Michigan. Built in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 8 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 275 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 550 acre-feet. The dam spans 450 feet in length and is situated along a tributary to Goose Creek, offering a surface area of 137.3 acres for visitors to enjoy.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of October 2020, Lombard Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management within the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 3 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 150 cubic feet per second. While the risk assessment deems the structure to have a moderate risk level, regular state inspections and enforcement measures ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Overall, Lombard Lake Dam stands as a testament to Michigan's commitment to water conservation and recreation. With its scenic location in Somerset Center and its role in providing a recreational oasis for locals and visitors alike, this dam represents a harmonious blend of natural beauty and human ingenuity. Its historical significance, coupled with its vital contribution to water management in the region, solidifies Lombard Lake Dam as a cornerstone of environmental stewardship and climate resilience efforts.
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 Lombard Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Jackson | 87 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 23 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 36 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 236 cfs | → |
| Bean Creek At Powers Oh | 163 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Marengo | 278 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lombard 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
- Skinner Highway 2590, Rome Township
- Us 12 9697, Cambridge Township
Campgrounds
- Wildwood Acres Campground
- W. J. Hayes State Park
- Swains Lake
- Lake Hudson State Rec Area
- Lake Hudson Semi-Modern Campground
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
Track Lombard 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 Lombard Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lombard 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 Lombard Lake Dam.