Albion Dam dam
Albion Dam
Albion Dam, located in Middleville, Michigan, is a state-owned structure built in 1949 primarily for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 8 feet with a hydraulic height of 5.9 feet, the dam spans 130 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary to Glass Creek, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities in the area.
Despite its age, Albion Dam has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition during its last assessment in 2014. With a moderate risk rating, the dam continues to be regularly inspected every 5 years to ensure its safety and integrity. Although the dam does not fall under federal jurisdiction, its management and maintenance are overseen by the state of Michigan, highlighting the importance of local involvement in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
As a key component of the recreational landscape in Barry County, Albion Dam not only provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities but also serves as a reminder of the intersection between human-made structures and natural ecosystems. With its controlled spillway and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam offers a unique blend of functionality and environmental impact, showcasing the delicate balance required in managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Albion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 259 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 47 cfs | → |
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 39 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 29 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 675 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Albion Dam.
Boat launches
- Leach Lake Road Carlton Township
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- 84th Street Southeast 9620, Bowne Township
- Green Lake Boat Launch
- Prairieville Township Center Street Lake Access
- Tasker Road Odessa Township
Campgrounds
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Tyden City Park
- Barry Expo Center
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Winding Creek Campground
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Albion 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 Albion Dam
Where does the data for Albion 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 Albion Dam.