Duncan Dam dam
Duncan Dam
Duncan Dam, located in Isabella County, Michigan, is a privately owned structure completed in 1967 primarily for recreational purposes along the Duncan Drain. With a dam height of 27 feet and a hydraulic height of 24.7 feet, the earth-type dam offers a storage capacity of 472 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 391 acre-feet across its 900-foot length. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 12 feet, and a low hazard potential has been assessed, with satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in May 2017.
Managed by Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Duncan Dam presents a moderate risk level according to the Risk Assessment classification. Situated in a scenic location in Clare, Michigan, the dam's surrounding area spans 36 acres, with a drainage area of 0.43 square miles. Despite its private ownership, the dam falls under state jurisdiction for regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its compliance with safety standards and protocols. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently undetermined, suggesting potential areas for further development and evaluation to enhance preparedness and safety protocols.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Duncan Dam offers a unique recreational opportunity in a picturesque setting, with the potential for further exploration into its structural design, risk management strategies, and environmental impact assessments. As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, the dam serves not only as a recreational site but also as a crucial element in managing water resources in the region. With its rich history and ongoing regulatory oversight, Duncan Dam presents a fascinating case study for those interested in the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and recreational infrastructure.
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 Duncan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 283 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 337 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 324 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 238 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Duncan Dam.
Boat launches
- Stevenson Lake Boat Launch
- Washington Road 4863, Grant Township
- Lone Pine Road 2708, Grant Township
- West Stevenson Lake Road Gilmore Township
- Trails End Road 8817, Garfield Township
- South Shore Drive 11340, Garfield Township
Campgrounds
- Pettit Park
- Herrick Rec Area
- Coldwater Lake Family Park
- Big Mud Lake - State Forest
- Mud Lake State Forest Campground
- Merrill Lake Park
Fishing spots
Track Duncan 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 Duncan Dam
Where does the data for Duncan 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 Duncan Dam.