Copemish Dam dam
Copemish Dam
The Copemish Dam, located in Manistee, Michigan, on First Creek, was completed in 1950 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam is classified as an Earth dam type, standing at 10 feet in height with a length of 600 feet. It has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and a surface area of 40 acres, making it a significant feature in the area for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite being designated as having a low hazard potential, the Copemish Dam is considered to have a very high risk due to its condition assessment being marked as "Not Rated". The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, raising concerns about its ability to respond to potential emergencies. The risk management measures for the dam are currently unspecified, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and proactive maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital water resource infrastructure.
With a controlled spillway type and a relatively small spillway width of 6 feet, the Copemish Dam presents unique challenges in managing water discharge and potential flooding events. As a focal point for recreation in the area, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water-based activities and enhancing the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. However, the lack of recent inspections and assessments highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard the dam and its surrounding environment for future generations.
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 Copemish Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 192 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 307 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Copemish Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Healy Lake Campground Rd Springdale Township
- Healy Lake Boat Launch Springdale Township
- Glovers Lake Boat Ramp Pleasanton Township
- Nine Mile Road 12982, Maple Grove Township
- North 11 Road 5798, Springville Township
- South Buckley Road Mayfield Township
⛺ Campgrounds
- Grass Lake State Forest Campground
- Seaton Creek
- Seaton Creek Campground
- Fletcher Creek (Primitive)
- Hopkins Park Rv Campground
- Platte River State Forest Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
- Suicide Bend Fishing Site
- Lake Arcadia (Public Fishing Dock At Grebe Park)
- Lake Dubonnet
- Betsie Lake
- Bar Lake - Lake Michigan - Bar Lake Outlet
- Boardman Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- Southern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Mouth At Lake Michigan
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
- Southeastern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Northwetern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Copemish 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 Copemish Dam
Where does the data for Copemish 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 Copemish Dam.