Pittsford Mill Dam dam
Pittsford Mill Dam
Pittsford Mill Dam, also known as Ross Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Hillsdale, Michigan, along the East Branch St Joseph River. Completed in 1872, this earth dam stands at 14 feet tall and spans 200 feet in length, serving a primary purpose of recreation. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, with a very high risk assessment score of 1, likely due to its controlled spillway and overall structural integrity.
While the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, it is regularly inspected by the state regulatory agency, Michigan DEGLE. The last inspection was conducted in December 1988, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. With a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a normal storage of 45 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 8 acres and has a maximum discharge rate of 1400 cubic feet per second. Despite being privately owned, the dam falls under state jurisdiction and permitting, ensuring its compliance with safety regulations and enforcement measures.
Overall, Pittsford Mill Dam is a historic structure that continues to provide recreational benefits while being closely monitored for safety and compliance with state regulations. Its location in Pioneer, Ohio, and its association with the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlight its importance within the local water resource management framework. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate can appreciate the unique characteristics and risk management measures in place for this intriguing dam on the East Branch St Joseph River.
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 Pittsford Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 67 cfs | → |
| Bean Creek At Powers Oh | 158 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 40 cfs | → |
| Tiffin River At Stryker Oh | 113 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Adrian | 222 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pittsford Mill Dam.
Track Pittsford Mill 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 Pittsford Mill Dam
Where does the data for Pittsford Mill 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 Pittsford Mill Dam.