Gehrke Dam dam
Gehrke Dam
Gehrke Dam, located in Rochester, Michigan, was completed in 1913 and serves as a crucial structure for managing water resources in the area. The dam, primarily owned by a private entity, stands at a height of 18 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 20 acre-feet. It is classified as an Earth dam with a controlled spillway and is situated along a tributary to Stoney Creek.
Despite its age, Gehrke Dam is considered to have significant hazard potential, with a very high risk assessment rating. The dam has not been inspected since 1901, and its condition is currently not rated. Emergency action plans and risk management measures for the dam are not readily available, raising concerns about the preparedness for potential emergencies or disasters. The dam's location within a populated area underscores the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety and the protection of water resources.
With its historical significance and critical role in water management, Gehrke Dam stands as a testament to early engineering feats in Michigan. As the dam approaches its centennial mark, stakeholders and regulators may need to prioritize assessments and updates to ensure its continued safety and functionality in the face of evolving climate patterns and water resource demands. The dam's association with a prominent congressman, Sander M. Levin, adds an additional layer of interest for enthusiasts of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Gehrke Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| River Rouge At Birmingham | 13 cfs | → |
| Plum Brook At Utica | 8 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Southfield | 37 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Sterling Heights | 421 cfs | → |
| Clinton River Near Fraser | 492 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Detroit | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gehrke Dam.
Boat launches
- Detroit Riverwalk Detroit
- Russell Street Windsor
- Delray Public Access Boat Ramp
- Normanwood Circle 3807, West Bloomfield Township
- Orchard Lake, 788 Acres, Oakland County
- Canal Drive 41, Pontiac
Campgrounds
- Ridgewood Campground
- Apache Campsite
- South Hill Campsite
- East Prairie Campsite
- Cherokee Campsite
- Outpost Campsite
Track Gehrke 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 Gehrke Dam
Where does the data for Gehrke 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 Significant 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 Gehrke Dam.