Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure dam
Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure
The Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure, also known as the Oxford Multi-Lakes Dam, is a privately owned dam located in Lake Orion, Michigan. This structure is crucial for controlling water levels and ensuring the proper management of the North Branch Paint Creek. Completed in 1975, the dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a length of 180 feet, offering a maximum storage capacity of 1175 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 650 acre-feet.
With a primary purpose of recreation, the Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure plays a significant role in providing water-based recreational opportunities for the local community. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 15 feet, ensuring water flow control during periods of high discharge. Despite being classified with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the structure is subject to regular inspections to maintain its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure poses a very high risk due to its critical role in maintaining water levels and ensuring public safety. As a vital component of the local water resource management system, this dam underscores the importance of proper monitoring, maintenance, and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding communities from any adverse impacts.
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 Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stony Creek Near Romeo | 13 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek At Rochester | 18 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Washington | 23 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Auburn Hills | 77 cfs | → |
| East Pond Creek At Romeo | 15 cfs | → |
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Squaw Lake Dnr Boat Launch
- Oakland County
- Cedar Key Drive 2375, Oakland County
- F-All Visitors Loop Oakland County
- Lakeville Lake, 460 Acres, Oakland County
- Big Fish Lake, 105 Acres, Lapeer County
Campgrounds
- Chippewa Campsite
- Pine Grove Campsite
- Picnic Area Campsite
- Pines Campsite
- Outpost Campsite
- Cherokee Campsite
Track Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure 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 Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure
Where does the data for Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure 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 Oxford Multi-Lakes Control Structure.