Hayward Lake Dam dam
Hayward Lake Dam
Hayward Lake Dam, also known as Westman Dam, is a concrete structure located in Menominee, Michigan, along the Walton River. Completed in 1952, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a height of 9.5 feet with a storage capacity of 10,800 acre-feet. Its controlled spillway, with a width of 51 feet, ensures the safety of the surrounding area by managing maximum discharge levels of up to 860 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Hayward Lake Dam has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and fair condition. Despite its relatively low risk classification, the dam poses a very high risk due to its location and potential impact on the local community. Regular inspections every five years help to maintain its safety and integrity, with the last assessment conducted in June 2019. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications over the years, it remains a crucial infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As a vital component of the local ecosystem, Hayward Lake Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water levels, providing recreational opportunities, and ensuring public safety. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam stands as a testament to Michigan's commitment to sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation. Its strategic location, efficient design, and reliable operation make it a key asset in safeguarding the environment and communities along the Walton River.
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 Hayward Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 3,440 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 3,690 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 2,950 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Ford River Near Hyde | 380 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Porterfield | 872 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hayward Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Orley Lane No 18.70 Stephenson Township
- Cedar River State Harbor
- Club Lane Ingallston Township
- Grand Rapids Flowage -- Access Grand Rapids Rd
- Menominee River -- Hwy Jj Access
- South 4 Road Lake Township
Campgrounds
- Cedar River North State Forest Campground
- Welcker's
- North Nicolet Bay
- Tennison Bay
- South Nicolet Bay
- Evergreen City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
Track Hayward Lake 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 Hayward Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hayward Lake 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 Hayward Lake Dam.