Chesaning Dam dam
Chesaning Dam
The Chesaning Dam, located on the Shiawassee River in Chesaning, Michigan, was completed in 1863 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This local government-owned structure stands at 9 feet in height and spans 211 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
Despite its low hazard potential, the Chesaning Dam poses a moderate risk due to its age and condition assessment being marked as 'Not Rated'. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type, with a spillway width matching its length. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in October 2008, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. While the risk management measures and emergency action plan status are not specified in the data, the dam remains a significant feature along the Shiawassee River, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to admire its historical and recreational value.
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 Chesaning Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Fosters | 330 cfs | → |
| Shiawassee River At Owosso | 361 cfs | → |
| Saginaw River At Saginaw | 0 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 614 cfs | → |
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 364 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chesaning Dam.
Boat launches
- Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Saginaw Charter Township
- Wickes Park Drive City Of Saginaw
- Park Road 4865, Bridgeport Charter Township
- Peninsula Way Victor Township
- Buckingham Circle 9475, Victor Township
- Buell Lake, Genesee County
Fishing spots
Track Chesaning 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 Chesaning Dam
Where does the data for Chesaning 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 Chesaning Dam.