Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure dam
Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure
The Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure is a gravity dam located on the Coldwater River in Lockwood, Michigan. Completed in 1962, this structure serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a storage capacity of 5,150 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 2,575 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1,610 acres, the dam stands at a height of 6.4 feet and has a controlled spillway width of 15 feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure poses a very high risk due to its location and the potential impact of a failure. Although no associated structures or outlets gates are present, the dam is subject to regular inspections with an inspection frequency of 5 years, with the last inspection conducted in October 2019. The structure is not regulated or permitted by the state and has no emergency action plan in place, raising concerns about its risk management measures and preparedness for potential emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both recreational and safety purposes. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, ensuring the resilience and reliability of such structures becomes increasingly vital in safeguarding communities and the environment. The risk assessment and management of dams like Coldwater Lake highlight the need for proactive measures to address potential hazards and strengthen emergency preparedness in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 36 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 85 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Burlington | 224 cfs | → |
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 59 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 108 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Coldwater Boat Launch
- Shady Oaks Boat Launch
- Pleasant View Drive 499, Ovid Township
- Loon Lake Ramp
- Lake George, 565 Acres, Branch County
- Bennett Road Algansee Township
Campgrounds
- Branch County Fairgrounds Rv
- Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater
- Marble Lake County Park
- Pokagon State Park
- Angel Cove
- Steuben County Park
Fishing spots
Track Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure 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 Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure
Where does the data for Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure 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 Coldwater Lake Level Control Structure.