Plainwell Dam Number 2 dam
Plainwell Dam Number 2
Plainwell Dam Number 2, located along the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, was completed in 1856 and serves primarily for recreation purposes. This private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 2520 feet, with a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is controlled and has a width of 320 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 5613 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Plainwell Dam Number 2 is considered to have a very high risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 1. Although the dam has not been inspected since 1979, it is still in a condition that has not been rated. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, permitting, or inspection, indicating that the responsibility for its upkeep lies solely with the private owner.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Plainwell Dam Number 2 presents a historic structure with potential environmental implications. Its location on the Kalamazoo River and its risk assessment rating highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the dam and the surrounding area. Further attention to this dam and its potential impact on the ecosystem could be crucial in the future.
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 Plainwell Dam Number 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 55 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 939 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 14 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 10 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 44 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plainwell Dam Number 2.
Boat launches
- Prairieville Township Center Street Lake Access
- County Road 653 Pine Grove Township
- Lillian Court 216, Charter Township Of Comstock
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- Brandywine Lake Road 31738, Pine Grove
- Plaza Avenue Charter Township Of Comstock
Campgrounds
- Brookside City Park
- Camp Merrie Wood
- Markin Glen County Park
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Camp Rota-Kiwan
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Plainwell Dam Number 2 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 Plainwell Dam Number 2
Where does the data for Plainwell Dam Number 2 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 Plainwell Dam Number 2.