Fenton Water Dam dam
Fenton Water Dam
Fenton Water Dam, also known as Fenton Mill Pond Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in Fenton, Michigan, along the Shiawassee River. Completed in 1935, this earth dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 148 feet in length, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a normal storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 500 cubic feet per second, the dam provides a serene 46-acre pond for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Fenton Water Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being assessed as in fair condition during the latest inspection in November 2017, the dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its very high risk assessment rating. Emergency action plans are in place, though last revised in 1994, to address any unforeseen events and protect downstream communities in case of a dam failure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Fenton Water Dam a captivating structure within the picturesque Genesee County landscape. As a vital part of the local ecosystem, this dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also poses important risk management challenges that highlight 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 Fenton Water Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River At Milford | 73 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 614 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 52 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near New Hudson | 105 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 230 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fenton Water Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Ponemah, Genesee County
- Dickinson Lake, (Seven Lakes St Park), Oakland County
- Lake Fenton, 845 Acres, Genesee County
- Thomas Road Oakland County
- Crotched Lake, (Holly Recreation Area), Oakland County
- Lobdel Lake Dnr Boatlaunch
Campgrounds
- Seven Lakes State Park
- Group Camping Area 2
- Group Camping Area 3
- Group Camping Area 1
- Group Camping Area 4
- Group Camping Area 5
Fishing spots
Track Fenton Water 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 Fenton Water Dam
Where does the data for Fenton Water 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 Significant 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 Fenton Water Dam.