Little Black River Structure B dam
Little Black River Structure B
Little Black River Structure B, also known as the Golf Course Structure, is a significant earth dam located in Cheboygan, Michigan. Owned by the local government, this dam was designed by the USDA NRCS and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Little Black River. Completed in 1962, the dam stands at a height of 31.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22 feet.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a poor condition assessment from its last inspection in 2017, Little Black River Structure B is in need of attention and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction. The dam has a drainage area of 14.8 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 970 cubic feet per second. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 404 feet, and there are no outlet gates associated with the dam.
Despite its limitations, Little Black River Structure B continues to play a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding. With a risk assessment rating of moderate and a history dating back to the 1960s, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring our water infrastructure in the face of changing climate 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 Little Black River Structure B -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 301 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 97 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 216 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Garnet | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Black River Structure B.
Boat launches
- East Elm Street Cheboygan
- East Lincoln Avenue 101, Cheboygan
- The Forks Boat Ramp
- Number 37 Road Inverness Township
- Carter Road Benton Township
- West Huron Drive Bois Blanc Township
Campgrounds
- Cheboygan State Park
- Aloha State Park
- Twin Lakes - State Forest
- Twin Lakes State Forst Campground
- Maple Bay State Forest Campground
- Maple Bay - State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Little Black River Structure B 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 Little Black River Structure B
Where does the data for Little Black River Structure B 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 Little Black River Structure B.