Rainy River Dam dam
Rainy River Dam
The Rainy River Dam in Michigan, located on the West Branch Upper Rainy River, serves as a key recreational site in the region. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and spans a length of 296 feet, with a capacity of 1755 acre-feet for storage. The dam is primarily used for recreational purposes, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities in the surrounding area.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Rainy River Dam is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having a satisfactory condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway to manage excess water flow during periods of heavy rainfall.
Located in Montmorency County near Cheboygan, Michigan, the Rainy River Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and flood control in the region. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the beauty of the Upper Rainy River watershed.
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 Rainy River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 97 cfs | → |
| Thunder Bay River At Herron Road Near Bolton | 659 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 301 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,680 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainy River Dam.
Boat launches
- High Country Pathway Allis Township
- Dam Road Allis Township
- West Highway 9330, Bismarck Township
- Grass Lake Road Montmorency Township
- Iafrate Drive Montmorency Township
- County Road 634 Bismarck Township
Campgrounds
- Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
- Ess Lake State Forest Campground
- Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
- Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground
- Town Corner Lake State Forest Campground
- Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Track Rainy 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 Rainy River Dam
Where does the data for Rainy 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 Rainy River Dam.