Bergland Dam dam
Bergland Dam
Bergland Dam, also known as Lake Gogebic Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Ontonagon, Michigan. Completed in 1906, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the West Branch Ontonagon River, providing essential water resource management for the surrounding area. With a height of 8 feet and a length of 179 feet, Bergland Dam has a maximum storage capacity of 276,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 35,200 acre-feet, ensuring a steady water supply for various purposes.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Bergland Dam is subject to regular inspections by the state regulatory agency of MICHIGAN DEGLE to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing risk management measures. Additionally, with a spillway type of "Uncontrolled" and a spillway width of 179 feet, the dam is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 10,000 cubic feet per second in times of high water flow, highlighting its importance in mitigating flooding and protecting downstream communities.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Bergland Dam serves as a vital resource for water supply, flood control, and environmental conservation in the region. With its long history of operation and maintenance, the dam continues to play a significant role in sustaining the ecological balance of the area while also providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The strategic location of Bergland Dam on the West Branch Ontonagon River further underscores its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Michigan.
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 Bergland Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland | 93 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 840 cfs | → |
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 39 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Bessemer | 102 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bergland Dam.
Boat launches
- Railroad Street Bergland
- M 64 Bergland Township
- 107th Engineers Memorial Highway Carp Lake Township
- Fs 8300 Marenisco Township
- Eddy Park Road Wakefield
Campgrounds
- Bergland Town Park
- Ontonagon County Park
- Lake Gogebic State Park
- Lake Gogebic County Park
- Lost Creek Outpost Campground
- White Pine Extension Outpost
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
- South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch
- Minnewawa Falls To Lake Superior
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
Track Bergland 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 Bergland Dam
Where does the data for Bergland 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 Bergland Dam.