Van Dragt's Dam dam
Van Dragt's Dam
Van Dragt's Dam, located in Allegan, Michigan, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1963. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 24 feet with a hydraulic height of 20 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes along Tannery Creek. With a storage capacity of 136 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 629 cubic feet per second, the dam also supports irrigation activities in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and inspections are scheduled every five years. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 11 feet, and the dam poses a moderate risk according to the risk assessment. Although not under state jurisdiction, Van Dragt's Dam has a significant impact on the local environment and water resources, making it an important structure to monitor and maintain for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
In the picturesque city of Douglas, Michigan, Van Dragt's Dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to enjoy. With its unique design and historical significance, the dam serves as a recreational hub while also supporting irrigation activities in the region. As efforts continue to assess and manage risks associated with the dam, its importance in the local ecosystem and water management practices remains paramount for sustainable development and environmental conservation.
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 Van Dragt's Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 69 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Van Dragt's Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Bayou Street 87, Douglas
- Schultz Park Boating Access Site Douglas
- Hacklander Boating Access Site Saugatuck Township
- 65th Street 3698, Laketown Township
- Hutchins Lake Boat Launch
- Lake Macatawa Boating Access Site Park Township
⛺ Campgrounds
- Ely Lake Campground
- Silver Creek Campground
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Van Buren State Park
- Youth Campground
- Covert Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
More paddle runs →Track Van Dragt's 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 Van Dragt's Dam
Where does the data for Van Dragt's 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 Van Dragt's Dam.