Lake Ogemaw Dam dam
Lake Ogemaw Dam
Lake Ogemaw Dam, also known as Peterson Creek Impoundment, is a privately owned structure located in Omer, Michigan. Completed in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and stretches 570 feet in length, creating a recreational reservoir with a storage capacity of 6,800 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Peterson Creek, which has a drainage area of 6.1 square miles and a maximum discharge of 100 cubic feet per second.
The significant hazard potential of Lake Ogemaw Dam is mitigated by its satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2020. The dam operates with an uncontrolled spillway type, with a width of 34 feet. While the risk assessment categorizes the dam as moderate, with an assigned rating of 3, the structure is regularly inspected by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) to ensure compliance with state regulations. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and adherence to guidelines remain unspecified, indicating areas for potential improvement in risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Ogemaw Dam represents a vital infrastructure that not only provides recreational opportunities but also serves as a crucial component in managing water flow along Peterson Creek. As a privately owned facility under state jurisdiction, the dam's role in flood control and water storage underscores the importance of regular inspections and adherence to safety protocols to sustain its functionality and minimize potential risks to downstream communities. The ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts by regulatory agencies aim to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of Lake Ogemaw Dam in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Ogemaw Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 335 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,740 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,350 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,380 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Ogemaw Dam.
Boat launches
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
- Sage Lake Road 1902, Cumming Township
- Ranch Road Cumming Township
- Ridge Road Cumming Township
- George Lake Boat Launch
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw Dam
Where does the data for Lake Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw Dam.