Nashville Dam dam
Nashville Dam
Nashville Dam, located on the Thornapple River in Nashville, Michigan, was completed in 1874 for the primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet with a length of 360 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 420 acre-feet and a normal storage of 300 acre-feet. The dam serves an important role in regulating the flow of water and creating a surface area of 56 acres for recreational activities.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Nashville Dam has not been state regulated or inspected since 2008. Despite its age, the dam continues to operate safely, with no reported condition assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 206 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 3735 cubic feet per second, ensuring the efficient management of water levels in the Thornapple River.
Nashville Dam remains a vital asset for the community, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and water recreation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize the historical significance and functional importance of this dam in managing water flow and providing a space for leisure and enjoyment in the Nashville area.
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 Nashville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 234 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 28 cfs | → |
| Battle Creek At Battle Creek | 204 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Portland | 875 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 697 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nashville Dam.
Boat launches
- West Saint Joseph Highway Sunfield Township
- Leach Lake Road Carlton Township
- Tasker Road Odessa Township
- East Capital Avenue 398, Bellevue
- Alliance Drive Potterville
- North Clinton Street Grand Ledge
Campgrounds
- Winding Creek Campground
- Barry Expo Center
- Tyden City Park
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
Fishing spots
Track Nashville 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 Nashville Dam
Where does the data for Nashville 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 Nashville Dam.