Black River Dam dam
Black River Dam
Black River Dam in Ramsay, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure located on the Black River, boasting a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment. Completed in 1947, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 13 feet, serving primarily for recreation purposes. With a normal storage capacity of 480 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 570 cubic feet per second, the dam covers a surface area of 110 acres and has a drainage area of 8.9 square miles.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Black River Dam offers controlled spillway features with a width of 45 feet and a spillway discharge capacity of 660 acre-feet. The dam's risk assessment is classified as very high, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety. With the surrounding area designated for recreational use, including fishing, boating, and wildlife observation, Black River Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Gogebic County.
As a significant water infrastructure within the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Black River Dam continues to be a key asset in the region's flood control and water supply strategies. With a strong emphasis on safety and risk management, the dam's satisfactory condition assessment underscores the commitment to ensuring its structural integrity and operational effectiveness in the face of evolving climate challenges. Water resource and climate enthusiasts alike can appreciate the critical role that Black River Dam plays in maintaining a balance between human recreational activities and environmental conservation efforts in Michigan's waterways.
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 Black River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Bessemer | 98 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
| Bear River Near Manitowish Waters | 85 cfs | → |
| North Creek @ Trout Lake Nr Boulder Junction | 3 cfs | → |
| Trout River At Trout Lake Near Boulder Junction | 30 cfs | → |
| Stevenson Creek At Cth M Nr Boulder Junction | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black River Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Evelyn -- Access
- Pine Lake -- Access At N Side Of Lake Nr Cth G
- Turtle River -- Access At Shay Dam
- County Road C Hurley
- Spider Lake -- Access At The End Of Pitt Rd
- Oxbow Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Eddy Park Campground
- Henry Lake Campground
- Lake Of The Falls Campgrounds
- Big Lake Campground
- Bobcat Lake Campground
- Gold Mine West
Fishing spots
Track Black River 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 Black River Dam
Where does the data for Black River 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 Black River Dam.