Leland Dam dam
Leland Dam
Leland Dam, also known as Lake Leelanau Dam, is a private concrete structure located in Leland, Michigan, on a tributary to Lake Michigan. Built in 1910, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a height of 19 feet and a length of 75 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 86,950 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 45,150 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 2,849 acres and draining a 130-square-mile watershed.
Despite its age, Leland Dam is still in use and has a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway type. The dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and is subject to regular inspections by the state regulatory agency, MICHIGAN DEGLE. Its last inspection was conducted in September 2019, with a frequency of every 3 years. While the condition assessment is currently listed as 'Not Rated,' the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are not specified.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and safety of dams in Michigan, particularly those serving recreational purposes, may find Leland Dam's data informative. With its historical significance dating back over a century and its critical role in water storage and control in the region, this dam underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
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 Leland Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At Honor | 212 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 407 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 422 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,810 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,740 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,710 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leland Dam.
Boat launches
- South Saint Mary's Street 102, Lake Leelanau
- Meinrad Street Lake Leelanau
- Front Street Suttons Bay
- Lake Michigan, Suttons Bay, Leelanau County
- South West Bay Shore Drive Suttons Bay
- East Leelanau Pines Drive 6500, Centerville Township
Campgrounds
- D. H. Day - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- D.H. Day Campground And Ranger Station
- D.H. Day Group Campground
- Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore - D. H. Day Campground
- Leeianau State Park
- Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore - Bay Campground
Fishing spots
- West Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- Lake Leelanau
- East Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- Elk River
- Kids Creek
- Boardman River
Track Leland 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 Leland Dam
Where does the data for Leland 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 High 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 Leland Dam.