Birch Creek Club Dam dam
Birch Creek Club Dam
Birch Creek Club Dam, located in Alpena, Michigan, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region. Completed in 1998, this private-owned Earth-type dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene oasis for water enthusiasts to enjoy. With a dam height of 18 feet and a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet, Birch Creek Club Dam provides essential water storage and recreational opportunities for the community.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Birch Creek Club Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's uncontrolled spillway type and low hazard potential contribute to its overall satisfactory condition assessment. With a moderate risk level assigned, measures are in place to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the dam's continued functionality for the future.
As part of the Buffalo District within the US Army Corps of Engineers, Birch Creek Club Dam is a vital component of the local water infrastructure, contributing to flood control and water management efforts in the region. Its location along Robbs Creek and proximity to Alpena make it a key player in maintaining the ecological balance and water supply for the surrounding areas. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Birch Creek Club Dam serves as a fascinating example of human intervention in natural systems for the benefit of both recreation and environmental conservation.
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 Birch Creek Club Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 2,650 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Thunder Bay River At Herron Road Near Bolton | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 2,520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Birch Creek Club Dam.
Boat launches
- Mccollum Lake Road Clinton Township
- Evans Road Mentor Township
- Federal Route 4001 Mitchell Township
- North Skeel Road Millen Township
- Reber Road Comins Township
- Lost Lake Trail Lost Lake Woods
Campgrounds
- Mccollum Lake State Forest Campground
- Jewell Lake Campground
- Bear Island Primitive Campsite
- Gabions Campground And Day Use
- Gabions Campground
- Horseshoe Lake Campground And Boat Launch
Fishing spots
Track Birch Creek Club 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 Birch Creek Club Dam
Where does the data for Birch Creek Club 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 Birch Creek Club Dam.