Gales Pond Dam dam
Gales Pond Dam
Gales Pond Dam, located in Hart, Michigan, is a local government-owned structure on Huftile Creek with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1941, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 330 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 20 feet, contributes to its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in July 2018.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Gales Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite its very high risk assessment ranking, the dam has not undergone recent modifications or emergency action plan updates. The surrounding area of Oceana County benefits from the recreational opportunities provided by the dam, while also recognizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and longevity of the structure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricacies of Gales Pond Dam, they can appreciate its historical significance and the balance it strikes between recreational use and environmental stewardship. With its relatively modest size and stable condition, the dam serves as a reminder of the vital role that infrastructure plays in managing water resources for both human enjoyment and ecological health in the region.
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 Gales Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near Whitehall | 313 cfs | → |
| Pere Marquette River At Scottville | 616 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Muskegon | 6 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 133 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,470 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gales Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Gales Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gales Pond 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 below 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.
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.