Scenic Lake Dam dam
Scenic Lake Dam
Scenic Lake Dam, located in Laingsburg, Michigan, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and stretches 1400 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 3136 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary of the Looking Glass River and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Scenic Lake Dam poses a moderate risk level, according to the data. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 46 feet, and its last inspection was conducted in July 2005. Despite being privately owned, the dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safe operation and maintenance.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the unique features of Scenic Lake Dam, such as its recreational focus and its location within the picturesque Shiawassee County. As a significant part of the local landscape, this dam serves as both a functional structure for water storage and a scenic destination for outdoor activities. The data provides valuable insights into the design, construction, and current state of this important water resource infrastructure in Michigan.
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 Scenic Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Cedar River At East Lansing | 163 cfs | → |
| Sloan Creek Near Williamston | 2 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Williamston | 73 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Lansing | 760 cfs | → |
| Shiawassee River At Owosso | 333 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek At Holt Road Near Holt | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scenic Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Buckingham Circle 9475, Victor Township
- Peninsula Way Victor Township
- Babcock Road Victor Township
- Howe Road Dewitt Charter Township
- Moores River Drive Lansing
Campgrounds
- Sleepy Hollow State Park
- Wheel Inn Campground
- Creekridge Campground
- Maple River Campground
- Pleasant Lake
Fishing spots
Track Scenic 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 Scenic Lake Dam
Where does the data for Scenic 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 Scenic Lake Dam.