Sawdel Lake Dam dam
Sawdel Lake Dam
Sawdel Lake Dam, located in Columbiaville, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1949, this earth dam stands at a height of 6.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 6.1 feet, providing a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. The dam, sitting on the tributary to South Branch Flint River, offers a surface area of 22 acres and a drainage area of 4.3 square miles, making it an essential water resource in the region.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of 2019, Sawdel Lake Dam ensures the safety of its surrounding community. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 31 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 260 cubic feet per second. Its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential dangers. As a popular spot for recreational activities, Sawdel Lake Dam serves as a vital asset for both water resource management and climate enthusiasts in the area.
This earth dam, managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), continues to be a focal point for water conservation and outdoor leisure. Its historical significance, coupled with its functional design and strategic location, underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in maintaining the integrity and safety of our natural environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sawdel Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in ensuring the resilience and vitality of our water systems.
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 Sawdel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville | 165 cfs | → |
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 27 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 326 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 66 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 804 cfs | → |
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sawdel Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Long Lake, 204 Acres, Lapeer County
- Holloway Reservoir, 2000 Acres, Lapeer County
- Lake Nepessing, 414 Acres, Lapeer County
- Mott Lake -E, 650 Acres, Genesee County
- Minnawanna Lake, Metamora Hadley State Park, Lapeer County
- Buell Lake, Genesee County
Campgrounds
- Wolverine
- Otter Lake Park
- Old Family Camp Site - Not Rentable
- Elliott Family Camp - 17 Rv Sites
- Paul Bunyon
- Camporee Area
Fishing spots
Track Sawdel 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 Sawdel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sawdel 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 Sawdel Lake Dam.