West Branch Mill Pond Dam dam
West Branch Mill Pond Dam
The West Branch Mill Pond Dam, located in Ogemaw, Michigan, was completed in 1900 for recreational purposes. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 500 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. The dam controls the flow of Ogemaw Creek and features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 70 feet.
Despite its age, the condition of the West Branch Mill Pond Dam has not been officially rated since its last inspection in 1980. The hazard potential is currently labeled as "Undetermined," with a moderate risk assessment score of 3. While the dam has not been state-regulated or inspected in recent years, its role in providing recreational opportunities and influencing the local ecosystem underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates may find interest in the potential risks and management measures associated with this historic structure.
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 West Branch Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 354 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 341 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 289 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Branch Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
- Sage Lake Road 1902, Cumming Township
- Ranch Road Cumming Township
- Ridge Road Cumming Township
- George Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground
- Ogemaw Sport And Trail Center – Motocross And Atv Campground
- Cole Family Camp
- White Pines Area
- Bridge View
- Rifle River
Fishing spots
Track West Branch Mill Pond 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 West Branch Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for West Branch Mill Pond 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 Undetermined 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 West Branch Mill Pond Dam.