Boyne River dam
Boyne River
The Boyne River in Boyne City, Michigan is home to a captivating hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1904 by the Consumers Power Company and Holland Ackerman. This Earth-type dam stands at 37 feet tall and spans 950 feet across the river, with a storage capacity of 1,390 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves as a recreational spot for water enthusiasts.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the Boyne River dam poses minimal threat to the surrounding area. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the operation and inspection of this structure, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's uncontrolled spillway has a width of 35 feet, allowing for the controlled release of excess water during periods of high discharge.
Located in the picturesque Boyne Valley, this dam is not only a functional piece of infrastructure but also a beautiful sight to behold. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering marvel of this multi-arch dam and the vital role it plays in providing renewable energy to the local community.
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 Boyne River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 221 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 315 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 113 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 245 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 347 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boyne River .
Boat launches
- East Deer Lake Road 299, Boyne Valley Township
- Lake Charlevoix -E2, 17260 Acres, Charlevoix County
- Rogers Road 7059, South Arm Township
- Huffman Lake Road Hudson Township
- Webster Bridge Road 4802, Jordan Township
- Nagashi Road South Arm Township
Campgrounds
- Young State Park
- Whiting County Park
- East Jordan Tourist Park
- Magnus Park
- Lost Valley Bible Camp And Retreat Center
- Graves Crossing - State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Boyne River 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 Boyne River
Where does the data for Boyne River 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 Boyne River .