Topski Dam dam
Topski Dam
Topski Dam, located in Quimby, Michigan, along Cedar Creek, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1970 by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 340 feet in length. It offers a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 41 acre-feet and a surface area of 6.9 acres.
The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). It has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 21 feet and a maximum discharge of 115 cubic feet per second. The hazard potential of the dam is classified as low, with a satisfactory condition assessment conducted in December 2005.
Although Topski Dam has not undergone any significant modifications since its completion, it remains a moderate risk structure with a risk assessment rating of 3. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, this dam serves as both a water resource and climate enthusiast's destination to appreciate the balance between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems in the Michigan landscape.
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 Topski Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 259 cfs | → |
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 29 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 39 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 675 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek At Battle Creek | 208 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Topski Dam.
Boat launches
- Leach Lake Road Carlton Township
- Prairieville Township Center Street Lake Access
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- Green Trail Charleston Township
- Charleston Township
Campgrounds
- Winding Creek Campground
- Barry Expo Center
- Tyden City Park
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Camp Merrie Wood
Fishing spots
Track Topski 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 Topski Dam
Where does the data for Topski 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 Topski Dam.