Argo Dam dam
Argo Dam
Argo Dam, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a gravity dam on the Huron River primarily used for recreation. Built in 1920, the dam stands at 18 feet tall and spans 1,888 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 1,200 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, with a width of 164 feet, is of the controlled type, ensuring the safe release of excess water during peak flow events.
Managed by the local government, the dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with regular inspections indicating a satisfactory condition. However, its hazard potential is rated as high, with a very high risk assessment score. Despite these risks, the dam provides vital recreational opportunities and scenic beauty to the community, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. Its presence on the Huron River adds to the diverse ecosystem and water management strategies in the region.
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 Argo Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 337 cfs | → |
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 4 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 46 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Saline | 41 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 204 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near New Hudson | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Argo Dam.
Boat launches
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Geddes Road Ann Arbor
- Gallup Park Pathway Ann Arbor Township
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Dexter-Hudson Mills Washtenaw B2b Trail Section Scio Township
- Dexter-Hudson Mills Washtenaw B2b Trail Section Dexter
Campgrounds
- Canoe Camping
- Wayne County Fairgrounds Rv
- Group Use Area
- Pinckney-Crooked Lake Rustic
- Bishop Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area
Track Argo 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 Argo Dam
Where does the data for Argo 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 Argo Dam.