Lake Orion Dam dam
Lake Orion Dam
Lake Orion Dam, also known as Michigan Central Dam, is a gravity dam located in Lake Orion, Michigan, along the Paint Creek. Built in 1829, this historic structure stands at 18 feet tall and spans 760 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 3600 acre-feet and a surface area of 470 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing flood control in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Lake Orion Dam is deemed to have a significant hazard potential but maintains a satisfactory condition assessment. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 25 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 1010 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam continues to undergo regular inspections and has an emergency action plan in place to ensure public safety and risk management.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Orion Dam serves as a vital infrastructure that not only contributes to the environmental health of the region but also holds historical significance as one of the early engineering marvels in Michigan. With its strategic location on the Paint Creek and its role in water storage and flood mitigation, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands.
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 Orion Dam -- 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 | → |
| Plum Brook At Utica | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Orion Dam.
Boat launches
- Oakland County
- Cedar Key Drive 2375, Oakland County
- Squaw Lake Dnr Boat Launch
- Lakeville Lake, 460 Acres, Oakland County
- F-All Visitors Loop Oakland County
- Lake Oakland, 735 Acres, Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Pine Grove Campsite
- Chippewa Campsite
- Pines Campsite
- Outpost Campsite
- Cherokee Campsite
- Picnic Area Campsite
Track Lake Orion 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 Orion Dam
Where does the data for Lake Orion 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 Lake Orion Dam.