Dills Dam dam
Dills Dam
Dills Dam, located in Eaton County, Michigan, is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 750 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet with a maximum storage of 49 acre-feet. The dam controls a tributary to the Thornapple River, with a drainage area of 0.3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Dills Dam presents a moderate risk due to its condition being unrated and lacking in updated emergency action plans and risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet and has not been inspected since January 1, 1901, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The risk assessment for Dills Dam suggests a moderate level of concern (3) for potential hazards, indicating the need for improved safety measures and maintenance protocols to ensure the structure's stability and the protection of downstream communities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Dills Dam an intriguing subject for study and monitoring, given its historical significance, design features, and potential risk factors. As a key recreational asset in the area, the dam's management and maintenance play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and preserving the surrounding ecosystem. Further research and assessment of Dills Dam's condition, emergency preparedness, and risk mitigation strategies could contribute valuable insights to the broader conversation on dam safety and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Dills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Looking Glass River Near Eagle | 160 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Lansing | 877 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Eaton Rapids | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Portland | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 41 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River At East Lansing | 166 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dills Dam.
Boat launches
- Alliance Drive Potterville
- North Clinton Street Grand Ledge
- Moores River Drive Lansing
- West Saint Joseph Highway Sunfield Township
- Mcarthur River Drive 998, Eaton Rapids
- Gale Road Onondaga Township
Campgrounds
- Eaton County Fairgrounds
- Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
- Ionia State Rec Area
- Barry Expo Center
- Winding Creek Campground
- Tyden City Park
Fishing spots
Track Dills 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 Dills Dam
Where does the data for Dills 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 Dills Dam.