Au Train dam
Au Train
Au Train, also known as Forest Lake Dam, is a hydroelectric structure located in Alger, Michigan, along the picturesque Au Train River. Completed in 1910, this gravity dam stands at a height of 31 feet and serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a storage capacity of 12,319 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 13,200 cubic feet per second, Au Train plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Au Train Dam has a high hazard potential due to its structural characteristics and location. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, posing a potential risk to the surrounding area in the event of a failure. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety, with the last inspection taking place in September 2020. The dam also has an emergency action plan in place, meeting guidelines and preparedness for any unforeseen events.
In light of its historical significance and environmental impact, Au Train Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. Its presence not only provides a source of renewable energy but also offers recreational opportunities for the local community. As efforts continue to assess and mitigate potential risks associated with the dam, its role in shaping the region's water infrastructure remains vital for sustainable development and adaptation to 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 Au Train -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction | 198 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 242 cfs | → |
| Escanaba River At Cornell | 808 cfs | → |
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 9 cfs | → |
| Manistique River Near Manistique | 2,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Au Train .
Boat launches
- Storage Basin Road Au Train Township
- Ackerman Lake Road Au Train Township
- Campground Road Au Train Township
- M-28 Au Train Township
- Elm Avenue Munising
Campgrounds
- Forest Lake State Forest Campground
- Au Train Lake Campground
- Hovey Lake Campground
- Hovey Lake Campsites
- Bay Furnace Campground
- Bay Furnace
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
- From Sixteen Mile Lake To North Line Of Sec 26, T43n, R19w
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- Section 17, T48n, R17w (Boundary Of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Lands) To Mouth At Lake Superior
Track Au Train 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 Au Train
Where does the data for Au Train 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 Au Train .