Walker Creek Dam #1 dam
Walker Creek Dam #1
Walker Creek Dam #1, also known as Lake Windoga Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Weidman, Michigan. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and stretches for 700 feet along Walker Creek. With a storage capacity of 850 acre-feet, it primarily serves recreational purposes and offers a surface area of 41 acres for outdoor activities.
Although the dam has a low hazard potential, it is classified as having a very high risk due to its condition assessment being "Not Rated" and lacking updated emergency action plans. The dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, with regular state inspections and enforcement in place. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any significant modifications since its completion, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in managing water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Walker Creek Dam #1 presents an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. With its controlled spillway, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage for the surrounding area. Understanding the complexities of maintaining and regulating such structures is vital for safeguarding communities and ecosystems against potential hazards, making this dam a fascinating subject for further research and discussion in the field.
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 Walker Creek Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 283 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 337 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 30 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 324 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walker Creek Dam #1.
Boat launches
- West Rosebush Road Sherman Township
- West Stevenson Lake Road Gilmore Township
- Northwest County Line Road Sheridan Township
- South Shore Drive 11340, Garfield Township
- Stevenson Lake Boat Launch
- Trails End Road 8817, Garfield Township
Campgrounds
- Coldwater Lake Family Park
- Merrill Lake Park
- Tubbs Lake State Forest Campground
- Big Mud Lake - State Forest
- Mud Lake State Forest Campground
- Pettit Park
Fishing spots
Track Walker Creek Dam #1 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 Walker Creek Dam #1
Where does the data for Walker Creek Dam #1 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 Walker Creek Dam #1.