Dowagiac Pushing much more water this year: 3 flood stages met so far in 2010

Below is a peek at what the rivers water level and velocity have done since mid February. Basically the river has been running really high; even for this time of year. This is important to note because each time the river levels/velocities reach the 'red-line', it is at flood-stage, and its power and pressure on the dam site get exponentially stronger. An active, structurally sound, operational dam can open flood gates and relieve the stress on the structure. This is NOT the case with the Pucker street dam. It gets really pushed and beaten by the waters when they get above the "7.0"  level in the top graph, and above "600 cfs"  in the bottom graph. 

The red asterisk * in the top graph shows what the average water level height is supposed to be for the 5 months displayed.  The bottom graph shows a  tan string of triangles  which indicates the lifetime average velocity/speed of the waters current.  

As weather patterns change as they have in the last 15 years to more powerful, abrupt, and short-lived storms, the structures around rivers receive faster, stronger, shorter bursts of intense pressure, rather than long gradual build ups.

Normal river pressures on the dam structure occure during  the 6 ft. level and the 300 cfs velocity.  

Whats the point?  Leves of water and velocity of the water are on an increase year after year.  

I have a sinking feeling that this dam will not hold up to continued flood events in its degrated state.

But lets make this a positive post. !!!!

If the the dam were removed, this water would not be held back or confined any longer. It would stop backing up and rising to spread to the roads, homes, and property of Niles Township residents living above it. The water could flow and relieve itself without interruption.  And the mayor and city administrator could stop worrying so much each time it rains. And they would not have to pay insurance the way they do today.

I have some solace in the fact that each time this river approaches red-line, the mayor and city admistrator silently wonder---and have that "Oh Shit" feeling that starts to lurk, if only for a day or so until the waters begin to receed.  For the time being. Maybe not the next time, folks.