Backus Creek Dam dam
Backus Creek Dam
Backus Creek Dam, located in Prudenville, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure on Backus Creek with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a hydraulic height of 9.7 feet, providing a storage capacity of 2800 acre-feet. The dam's normal storage level is 900 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 550 acres and draining a watershed area of 17.5 square miles.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of January 2017, Backus Creek Dam is managed by the state regulatory agency MICHIGAN DEGLE. The spillway, classified as uncontrolled, has a width of 22 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 430 cubic feet per second. Although the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, it is inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
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 Backus Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 374 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 259 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 297 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Backus Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Houghton Lake -Sw, 20044 Acres, Roscommon County
- Lake Township
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- Chase Bridge Road 10199, South Branch Township
- East Houghton Lake Road 10191, Butterfield Township
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
Campgrounds
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park East Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park West Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
Track Backus Creek 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 Backus Creek Dam
Where does the data for Backus Creek 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 Backus Creek Dam.