Peninsular Paper Dam dam
Peninsular Paper Dam
Peninsular Paper Dam, also known as the Paper Mill Hydro Plant Dam, is a historic structure located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, along the Huron River. Built in 1867, this gravity dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a hydraulic height of 19.7 feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a surface area of 66 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Peninsular Paper Dam is in fair condition and poses a high hazard potential according to assessments. It has a moderate risk rating and undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 232 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 14,940 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government, Peninsular Paper Dam is a significant part of the region's water resource infrastructure. Its historical significance, combined with its recreational value, makes it a key feature along the Huron River, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to witness its engineering marvel and natural beauty.
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 Peninsular Paper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 4 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 435 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Saline | 44 cfs | → |
| Middle River Rouge At Plymouth | 40 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 50 cfs | → |
| Lower River Rouge At Inkster | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peninsular Paper Dam.
Boat launches
- Gallup Park Pathway Ann Arbor Township
- Geddes Road Ann Arbor
- Lake Point Boulevard Van Buren Township
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Hines Drive Livonia
Campgrounds
- Wayne County Fairgrounds Rv
- East Bend Group Camp
- Group Use Area
- Kc Campgrounds
- Canoe Camping
- Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area
Track Peninsular Paper 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 Peninsular Paper Dam
Where does the data for Peninsular Paper 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 High 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 Peninsular Paper Dam.