Hamlin Lake Dam dam
Hamlin Lake Dam
Hamlin Lake Dam, located in Ludington State Park, Michigan, stands as a testament to both man-made ingenuity and natural beauty. Completed in 1913, this gravity dam on the Big Sable River serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering visitors a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities. With a height of 23 feet and a hydraulic height of 21.6 feet, the dam creates a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 85,600 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 102,500 acre-feet.
Despite its serene appearance, Hamlin Lake Dam carries a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). The dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in July 2019, with a moderate risk level assigned. Emergency action plans are in place, although their last revision dates back to 2015. The dam's spillway, an uncontrolled type with a width of 94 feet, ensures the safe release of excess water when needed, guarding against potential flooding downstream.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Mason County, Michigan, Hamlin Lake Dam serves as a vital link between water resource management and recreational enjoyment. As climate change impacts the region, ensuring the safety and integrity of this historic structure becomes increasingly crucial. With its rich history and scenic location, Hamlin Lake Dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship.
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 Hamlin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pere Marquette River At Scottville | 805 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 283 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,590 cfs | → |
| White River Near Whitehall | 516 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamlin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hamlin Lake -W, 5350 Acres, Mason County
- Sable River Trail Hamlin Township
- Hamlin Lake -S, 5350 Acres, Mason County
- Co Rd To Twp Park 5499, Victory Township
- Stearns Drive Ludington
- South Lakeshore Drive Ludington
Campgrounds
- Beechwood Campground
- Cedars Campground
- Pines Campground
- Jack Pine Walk-In Campground
- Cartier Park Campground
- Lake Michigan Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Big Sable River
- Hamlin Lake
- Pere Marquette River
- Bar Lake - Lake Michigan - Bar Lake Outlet
- Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe And Fishing Landing
- Suicide Bend Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- Southern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Mouth At Lake Michigan
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
Track Hamlin Lake 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 Hamlin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hamlin Lake 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 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 Hamlin Lake Dam.