Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam dam
Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam
Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam, also known as Rush Creek Phase III Dam, is a private structure located in Ottawa, Michigan. Built in 2000, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 480 feet along Buttermilk Creek. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. Despite its vital role in mitigating flood risks, the dam has been assessed as having poor condition and a high hazard potential, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades.
Managed by private owners, the Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). The dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 14 feet. Its last inspection in June 2017 revealed the need for improvements, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the structure.
Located in a rural area in Ottawa County, Michigan, the Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding events. With a drainage area of 1.6 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 400 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the maintenance and upkeep of such structures are essential for safeguarding communities against the increasing threat of floods.
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 Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Macatawa River At State Road Near Zeeland | 21 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 4,280 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 50 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At New Richmond | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near New Richmond | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 219 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- 28th Avenue Georgetown Township
- Linden Drive 10037, Tallmadge Township
- Veterans Memorial Drive Southwest Walker
- 4th Avenue Tallmadge Township
- Deer Creek County Park
- Eastmanville Boat Launch
⛺ Campgrounds
- Silver Creek Campground
- Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort
- Tanglefoot Park
- Ely Lake Campground
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
Track Buttermilk Creek Detention 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 Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam
Where does the data for Buttermilk Creek Detention 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 High 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 Buttermilk Creek Detention Dam.