Saline River Dam dam
Saline River Dam
The Saline River Dam in Michigan, completed in 1967, serves as a significant recreational spot along the Saline River. With a primary purpose of recreation, this gravity dam stands at 19 feet tall and spans 762 feet in length. It has a storage capacity of 1,620 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 240 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 28 acres. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 92 feet, can discharge a maximum of 6,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by a private entity, the Saline River Dam is regulated and permitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). Despite being categorized as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment as of July 2020 was deemed fair. The risk assessment for the dam is very high, although detailed risk management measures are not specified in the available data.
Located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the Saline River Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Saline River. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, the dam stands as a testament to the balance between human activity and environmental stewardship in water resource management.
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 Saline River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saline River Near Saline | 61 cfs | → |
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 26 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 408 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 67 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Manchester | 23 cfs | → |
| River Raisin Near Monroe | 622 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saline River Dam.
Boat launches
- Bemis Road Bridgewater Township
- Geddes Road Ann Arbor
- Gallup Park Pathway Ann Arbor Township
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Lake Point Boulevard Van Buren Township
Campgrounds
- Kc Campgrounds
- Wayne County Fairgrounds Rv
- Canoe Camping
- W. J. Hayes State Park
- East Bend Group Camp
- Green Lake - Waterloo State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Saline River 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 Saline River Dam
Where does the data for Saline River 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 Significant 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 Saline River Dam.