Lake Contos Dam dam
Lake Contos Dam
Lake Contos Dam, located in Gladwin, Michigan, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Michigan DEGLE. Completed in 1950, this earthen dam stands at 12 feet tall and stretches 750 feet in length, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, the dam overlooks a surface area of 15 acres and drains a 9.9 square mile watershed, ensuring a normal storage level of 110 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Lake Contos Dam poses a moderate risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 6 feet and a maximum discharge of 160 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections occur every 5 years, with the most recent assessment conducted in July 2019, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake Contos Dam an intriguing study, showcasing the intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural ecosystems. Its presence on a tributary to the Cedar River highlights the importance of responsible dam management and regulation in maintaining water resources for both recreational and environmental purposes.
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 Lake Contos Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 127 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 373 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 495 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 259 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 298 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 376 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Contos Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Boat Launch (Concrete, Public) Harrison
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- Lone Pine Road 2708, Grant Township
- Washington Road 4863, Grant Township
Campgrounds
- Gladwin City Park
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Calhoun City Campground
- Wilson State Park
- Pettit Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Contos 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 Lake Contos Dam
Where does the data for Lake Contos 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 Lake Contos Dam.