Bear Trap Dam dam
Bear Trap Dam
Bear Trap Dam, located in Crystal Falls, Michigan, is a privately owned structure on the North Branch Paint River. Built in 1885, this earth dam stands at 7 feet high and spans a length of 250 feet, with a storage capacity of 655 acre-feet. While its primary purpose is for recreation, the dam is also state-regulated and subject to inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bear Trap Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating due to its age and limited risk management measures in place. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 9 feet, and its condition is currently listed as "Not Rated." While it has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) and lacks Emergency Action Plans (EAP), the dam remains a notable feature in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts.
For those interested in water resources and climate, Bear Trap Dam offers a historical glimpse into Michigan's dam infrastructure and the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures. With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a focal point for outdoor activities while also highlighting the need for ongoing risk assessments and safety measures to protect both the environment and surrounding communities.
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 Bear Trap Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 222 cfs | → |
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Iron River At County Hwy-424 At Caspian | 106 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 39 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 220 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 456 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Trap Dam.
Boat launches
- Tamarack Lake Road Stambaugh Township
- Fs 3920 Stambaugh Township
- Fs 3500 Iron River Township
- Fs 2152 Bates Township
- Federal Forest Highway 16 Stambaugh Township
- Fs 2149 Bates Township
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- North Branch--Butternut Lake To Confluence With Main Branch
- Private Bridge To Highway 55
Track Bear Trap 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 Bear Trap Dam
Where does the data for Bear Trap 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 Bear Trap Dam.