Trout Lake Dam dam
Trout Lake Dam
Trout Lake Dam, located in Secord, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of recreation. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1961, stands at a height of 19 feet and has a hydraulic height of 17.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 160 acre-feet, the dam serves as a key feature for water resource management in the area.
The dam, which spans 85 feet in length and covers a surface area of 25 acres, is designed to manage the flow of the tributary to the North Branch Cedar River. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Trout Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in July 2019, which found the structure to be in satisfactory condition. The dam also has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 5 feet in the event of high water levels.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Trout Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in the management of recreational water structures in Michigan. With its moderate risk assessment rating and state oversight for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the dam plays a crucial role in balancing water conservation with recreational activities in the Gladwin County area. Its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts underscore the importance of sustainable water resource management practices for the future.
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 Trout Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 297 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 259 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 337 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 374 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trout Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Boat Launch (Concrete, Public) Harrison
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Houghton Lake -Sw, 20044 Acres, Roscommon County
- Lincoln Township
- East Houghton Lake Road 10191, Butterfield Township
Campgrounds
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Gladwin City Park
- Wilson State Park
- Calhoun City Campground
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
Track Trout 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 Trout Lake Dam
Where does the data for Trout 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 Trout Lake Dam.