Frankenmuth Dam dam
Frankenmuth Dam
The Frankenmuth Dam, located in Frankenmuth, Michigan along the Cass River, serves as a vital recreational resource for the local community. Constructed in 1848, this timber crib dam stands at a height of 13 feet with a hydraulic height of 23 feet, providing a surface area of 9 acres and a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam continues to be a safe and enjoyable destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Frankenmuth Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 235 feet, allowing for the controlled release of water during periods of high flow. Despite its age, the dam has undergone periodic inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2019, indicating a moderate risk level with appropriate risk management measures in place.
With its historical significance and ongoing recreational value, the Frankenmuth Dam stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water resources in shaping the landscape and culture of Michigan. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and preservation of such structures become increasingly critical to safeguarding both human and environmental well-being in the region. Explore the Frankenmuth Dam to experience the intersection of nature, history, and community in this picturesque corner of Saginaw County.
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 Frankenmuth Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 170 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Fosters | 330 cfs | → |
| Saginaw River At Saginaw | 0 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 132 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 256 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 30 cfs | → |
About Frankenmuth Dam
Where does the data for Frankenmuth 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 below 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.
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.