Meeuwenberg Dam dam
Meeuwenberg Dam
Meeuwenberg Dam, also known as Phara Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Cherry Bend, Leelanau County, Michigan. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and serves as a recreational facility situated on a tributary to Cedar Lake. With a storage capacity of 193 acre-feet and a spillway width of 12 feet, this dam provides essential water resources for the surrounding area while also offering opportunities for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Meeuwenberg Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, but its overall condition is assessed as satisfactory. With a moderate risk assessment rating, emergency action plans are in place to address any potential threats or incidents that may arise.
As a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure, Meeuwenberg Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing recreational opportunities for the community. Its strategic location and design make it a significant asset in maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring the safety of residents in the surrounding area.
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 Meeuwenberg Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 218 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 162 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,500 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 215 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meeuwenberg Dam.
Boat launches
- Cedar Lake Boat Ramp Greilickville
- Tacs Dock Traverse City
- Grand Traverse Bay Public Water Access Site Peninsula Township
- East Leelanau Pines Drive 6500, Centerville Township
- Silver Lake Public Boat Launch
- Lake Michigan, Traverse City 4 Mile Rd, Grand Traverse County
Campgrounds
- Traverse City State Park Campground
- Traverse City State Park
- Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp - State Forest
- Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
- Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
- Lake Ann State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Southeastern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Northwetern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- 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
Track Meeuwenberg 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 Meeuwenberg Dam
Where does the data for Meeuwenberg 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 High 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 Meeuwenberg Dam.