Watervliet Dam dam
Watervliet Dam
Watervliet Dam, located in Berrien, Michigan, along the Paw Paw River, stands as a testament to engineering innovation since its completion in 1849. This private-owned gravity dam, primarily serving recreational purposes, boasts a height of 11 feet and a length of 130 feet, with a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge capacity of 3500 cubic feet per second, the dam ensures both safety and functionality for the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Watervliet Dam's risk assessment indicates a very high hazard potential, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and management. While the dam's condition remains unrated, its emergency action plan status, inundation maps, and risk management measures are all undetermined or unavailable. The surrounding community, led by Congressman Fred Upton, must work together to ensure the safety and sustainability of this historic water resource, especially in the face of changing climate conditions that may exacerbate existing risks.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the importance of maintaining and preserving structures like Watervliet Dam. By staying informed and advocating for thorough risk assessments, emergency preparedness, and ongoing maintenance, we can help safeguard this vital infrastructure and ensure its continued contribution to the local ecosystem and community.
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 Watervliet Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw River At Riverside | 451 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 104 cfs | → |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 363 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Galien River Near Sawyer | 65 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watervliet Dam.
Boat launches
- Shore Drive 4713, Coloma Charter Township
- Rush Lake Road 50085, Hartford Township
- Graham Avenue 201, Benton Harbor
- Riverview Drive 726, Benton Harbor
- Saint Joseph Charter Township
- I 94 Fair Plain
Campgrounds
- Paw Paw River Campgrounds
- Covert Park
- Covert Park Beach And Campground
- Youth Campground
- Van Buren State Park
- Eden Springs
Fishing spots
Track Watervliet 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 Watervliet Dam
Where does the data for Watervliet 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 Undetermined 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 Watervliet Dam.