Upper Reed Lake Dam dam
Upper Reed Lake Dam
The Upper Reed Lake Dam, located in Hunters Creek, Michigan, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and stretches 480 feet in length. It has a storage capacity of 220 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 160 acre-feet, serving the surrounding area with a surface area of 9 acres and a drainage area of 0.9 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the Upper Reed Lake Dam has a moderate risk rating of 3 out of 5. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 2300 cubic feet per second. The last inspection of the dam took place in July 2000, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. While no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been prepared yet, the dam meets regulatory guidelines and has not undergone any recent modifications.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Upper Reed Lake Dam can appreciate the careful oversight and management of this recreational structure in Lapeer County, Michigan. The dam provides a vital source of water storage for the area, contributing to the local ecosystem and offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk rating, the Upper Reed Lake Dam exemplifies the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental preservation in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Upper Reed Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 27 cfs | → |
| South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville | 165 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Romeo | 13 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 66 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 326 cfs | → |
| East Pond Creek At Romeo | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Reed Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Minnawanna Lake, Metamora Hadley State Park, Lapeer County
- Lake Nepessing, 414 Acres, Lapeer County
- Big Fish Lake, 105 Acres, Lapeer County
- Sawmill Lake Road Hadley Township
- Squaw Lake Dnr Boat Launch
- Long Lake, 204 Acres, Lapeer County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Upper Reed 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 Upper Reed Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Reed 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 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 Upper Reed Lake Dam.