Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure dam
Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure
The Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure, also known as the Shavehead Lake Dam, is a privately owned earth dam located in Cass County, Michigan. Completed in 1960, the structure serves primarily for recreational purposes, regulating the water levels of Shavehead Lake through its controlled spillway. With a dam height of 6.1 feet and a normal storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, the structure covers a surface area of 93 acres and has a maximum discharge capacity of 220 cubic feet per second.
Situated along Mud Creek in Elkhart, Indiana, the Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure is designed to withstand low hazard potential, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of November 2017. Despite being privately owned, the dam falls under state jurisdiction, with no state regulation, permitting, inspection, or enforcement requirements. The risk assessment for the structure is categorized as very high (1), indicating the need for vigilant monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety for water resource and climate enthusiasts who frequent the area.
Overall, the Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure plays a crucial role in managing water levels and ensuring the safety of Shavehead Lake for recreational activities. While it may not be subject to stringent state regulations, the structure's risk assessment highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding environment. For those interested in water resource management and climate-related infrastructure, the Shavehead Lake Dam serves as a noteworthy example of a privately owned facility with significant implications for local water resources and recreational opportunities.
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 Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 2,180 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,770 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 326 cfs | → |
| Elkhart River At Goshen | 581 cfs | → |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 333 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Calvin Township
- North Channel Parkway 68492, Mason Township
- Newberg Township
- Diamond Lake, 1020 Acres, Cass County
- County Line Road 59998, Newberg Township
- County Line Road Fabius Township
Campgrounds
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
- Elkhart County Fairgrounds
- Nottawa Park
- Shamrock Park
- Camp Betz
Fishing spots
Track Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure 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 Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure
Where does the data for Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure 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 Shavehead Lake Level Control Structure.