Highbanks Dam dam
Highbanks Dam
Highbanks Dam, also known as Swan Cr. Diversion Dam, is a state-regulated structure located in Allegan, Michigan, specifically in the city of New Richmond. Completed in 1961, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 12 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes along Swan Creek. With a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2900 cubic feet per second, the dam covers a surface area of 32 acres within a drainage area of 49.1 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Highbanks Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 313 feet, ensuring adequate water management during peak flow periods. Although the structure has not undergone significant modifications over the years, it continues to provide essential recreational opportunities for the local community while contributing to the overall water resource management in the region.
With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Highbanks Dam remains a critical component in the water infrastructure of Allegan County. While the dam does not have associated locks or outlet gates, its strategic location and design help mitigate potential risks associated with flooding and water flow control. As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure, the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of Highbanks Dam exemplify the importance of sustainable dam management practices in safeguarding both the environment and local communities.
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 Highbanks Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| South Branch Black River Near Bangor | 69 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Highbanks Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Hutchins Lake Boat Launch
- Hacklander Boating Access Site Saugatuck Township
- Schultz Park Boating Access Site Douglas
- Bayou Street 87, Douglas
- 65th Street 3698, Laketown Township
- County Road 380 47089, Columbia Township
⛺ Campgrounds
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Ely Lake Campground
- Silver Creek Campground
- Brookside City Park
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Youth Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Highbanks 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 Highbanks Dam
Where does the data for Highbanks 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 Highbanks Dam.