Starks Mill Dam dam
Starks Mill Dam
Starks Mill Dam, located in Emmet, Michigan, along the Silver Creek, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose classified as 'Other'. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1951, stands at a height of 22 feet and spans a length of 130 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 48 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1900 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite being non-state regulated, Starks Mill Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition assessment. With a very high risk factor assigned to it, this dam presents a significant challenge in terms of risk management and emergency preparedness. The last inspection date of the dam is recorded as January 1, 1901, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Starks Mill Dam serves as a fascinating example of human intervention in water management systems. As a vital component of the local infrastructure, this dam not only aids in flood control and water storage but also poses challenges in terms of risk assessment and mitigation. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, Starks Mill Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing need for sustainable water resource management practices in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Starks Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 320 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 95 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 215 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,370 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 338 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Starks Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Channel Road 7194, Springvale Township
- Artesian Lane 9699, Springvale Township
- Township Park Road 10275, Springvale Township
- Botsford Road Springvale Township
- Channel Road Springvale Township
- Us 31 2628, Little Traverse Township
Campgrounds
- Camp Petosega
- Tannery Creek Campgroup
- Petoskey State Park
- Dunes Campground
- Organization Campground
- Weber Lake - State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Starks Mill 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 Starks Mill Dam
Where does the data for Starks Mill 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 Starks Mill Dam.