Yellow Creek Dam dam
Yellow Creek Dam
Yellow Creek Dam, located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, serves as a vital irrigation structure for the region. Completed in 1948, this earth dam stands at a height of 18.6 meters and has a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. The dam regulates flow for Yellow Creek, a tributary, ensuring water availability for agricultural purposes in the area.
Despite its importance, the Yellow Creek Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in 2014 revealed the need for maintenance and improvements to ensure the safety and efficiency of the structure. With state regulatory oversight and regular inspections, steps are being taken to address the issues and manage the moderate risks associated with the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Yellow Creek Dam offers a glimpse into the intricate management of water infrastructure in Michigan. As efforts continue to maintain and enhance this essential irrigation system, the dam remains a critical component of the local water supply network, highlighting the ongoing challenges and opportunities in sustainable water resource management in the region.
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 Yellow Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 451 cfs | → |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 363 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 104 cfs | → |
| Galien River Near Sawyer | 65 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yellow Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Shore Drive 4713, Coloma Charter Township
- Graham Avenue 201, Benton Harbor
- Riverview Drive 726, Benton Harbor
- Saint Joseph Charter Township
- I 94 Fair Plain
- Riverbend Drive 2670, Fair Plain
Campgrounds
- Eden Springs
- Paw Paw River Campgrounds
- Covert Park Beach And Campground
- Covert Park
- Shamrock Park
- Youth Campground
Fishing spots
Track Yellow Creek 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 Yellow Creek Dam
Where does the data for Yellow Creek 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 Yellow Creek Dam.