Homestake Copper Dam dam
Homestake Copper Dam
Homestake Copper Dam, located in Lake Linden, Michigan, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). Completed in 1975, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of storing tailings, with a height of 21 feet and a length of 3654 feet. It manages water from Slaughterhouse Creek, with a storage capacity of 378 acre-feet and a surface area of 39 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam has a moderate risk rating of 3, highlighting the need for ongoing risk management measures. The spillway, which is uncontrolled with a width of 16 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 100 cubic feet per second. The last inspection in October 2016 indicated regular maintenance and a five-year inspection frequency to ensure the dam's safety and functionality. With its strategic location and critical role in water resource management, Homestake Copper Dam stands as a key infrastructure element in the region.
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 Homestake Copper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trap Rock River Near Lake Linden | 86 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 68 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 482 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 183 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 881 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Homestake Copper Dam.
Boat launches
- Garfield Avenue 1100, Hubbell
- Franklin Township
- Thayer Lake Road Sherman Township
- M 203 Calumet Township
- M 203 Hancock Township
- Pine Hollow Road Torch Lake Township
Campgrounds
- Gratiot River County Park
- Village Park
- Sunset Bay Rv Resort & Campground
- Mclain State Park Campground
- Mclain State Park
- North Canal Township Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Homestake Copper 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 Homestake Copper Dam
Where does the data for Homestake Copper 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 Homestake Copper Dam.