Beaverton dam
Beaverton
Beaverton, a fascinating hydroelectric dam located in Gladwin, Michigan, stands as a marvel of engineering since its completion in 1919. With a significant hazard potential and a very high risk assessment, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and climate impact in the region. The dam, primarily designed for hydroelectric purposes, boasts a gravity dam type with a height of 20 feet and a length of 220 feet, offering a storage capacity of 2390 acre-feet.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Beaverton dam regulates the flow of the Tobacco River and covers a drainage area of 487 square miles. Its controlled spillway and multiple outlet gates ensure efficient water management while minimizing the risk of flooding events. Although the dam's condition assessment is not currently available, its last inspection in September 2020 highlights ongoing efforts to maintain its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Beaverton dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region, exemplifying the intersection of technology, environmental stewardship, and community safety.
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 Beaverton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 373 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 127 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 298 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 376 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,560 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 495 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaverton .
Boat launches
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- Norway Street Hay Township
- North Water Road 4063, Sanford
- Washington Road 4863, Grant Township
- West Irish Street 439, Sanford
- Section 23 Grim Township Road Grim Township
Campgrounds
- Calhoun City Campground
- Gladwin City Park
- Black Creek - State Forest
- Black Creek State Forest Campground
- Herrick Rec Area
- Pettit Park
Fishing spots
Track Beaverton 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 Beaverton
Where does the data for Beaverton 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 Significant 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 Beaverton .