Holton Dam dam
Holton Dam
Holton Dam, located on the Grand River in Jackson, Michigan, was completed in 1936 with a primary purpose of recreation. This gravity dam stands at 15 feet tall, with a length of 46 feet and a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the risk assessment for Holton Dam is rated as very high, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing potential risks associated with the structure.
The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 25 feet and is owned by the local government. While not regulated by the state, Holton Dam is inspected every 5 years, with the last inspection date dating back to 1901. The condition assessment of the dam is currently not rated, highlighting the need for ongoing evaluation and maintenance to ensure its safety and effectiveness in managing water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Holton Dam provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of infrastructure, recreation, and risk management. With its historical significance and importance in the local landscape, this gravity dam serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing human needs with environmental considerations. As efforts continue to assess and address potential hazards, Holton Dam remains a focal point for understanding the challenges and responsibilities associated with managing 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 Holton 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 | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 46 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holton Dam.
Boat launches
- Avenue C Street 300, Vandercook Lake
- Maplegrove Road 1028, Rives Township
- Falling Waters Trail Township Of Spring Arbor
- Lime Lake Park Township Of Spring Arbor
- Steves Scenic Drive Liberty Township
- Round Lake Road 1208, Liberty Township
Campgrounds
- Portage Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
- Youth Haven Ranch
- Pleasant Lake
- Creekridge Campground
- Swains Lake
- Horsemen's Equestrian Campground
Track Holton 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 Holton Dam
Where does the data for Holton 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 Holton Dam.