Rainbow Lake Dam dam
Rainbow Lake Dam
Rainbow Lake Dam, located in Maple Rapids, Michigan, is a private dam constructed in 1962 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 46 feet and a length of 1000 feet, this earth dam stores up to 5400 acre-feet of water from the Pine Creek, covering a surface area of 238 acres. The dam is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Rainbow Lake Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in May 2019. The dam's spillway, with a controlled design and a width of 40 feet, helps manage water discharge during peak flow periods. In case of emergencies, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 1998, indicating the importance of preparedness and risk management at this site.
Overall, Rainbow Lake Dam presents a unique opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore the intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural water systems. As a recreational dam in a picturesque setting, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing water resources for human use and ensuring the safety and sustainability of these structures for future generations.
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 Rainbow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maple River At Maple Rapids | 171 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 31 cfs | → |
| Looking Glass River Near Eagle | 149 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Portland | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Ionia | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Lansing | 1,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- East Bluewater Highway Muir
- North Shore Drive 427, Crystal
- South Tabor Street 270, Lyons
- Leppien Park
- Howe Road Dewitt Charter Township
Campgrounds
- Maple River Campground
- Sleepy Hollow State Park
- Bertha Brock County Park
- Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
- Ionia State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Rainbow Lake 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 Rainbow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rainbow Lake 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 Significant 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 Rainbow Lake Dam.