Elk Rapids dam
Elk Rapids
Located in Antrim County, Michigan, Elk Rapids is home to a gravity dam on Elk Creek that serves as a hydroelectric power source. Completed in 1916, this dam has a height of 21 feet and a length of 87 feet, with a storage capacity of 75,000 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, providing a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Elk Rapids Dam is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement. With a spillway width of 10 feet and a maximum discharge of 490 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a vital role in water resource management in the region. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition, with an inspection frequency of 3 years and an emergency action plan last revised in 2020.
Overall, Elk Rapids Dam stands as a historic infrastructure that continues to contribute to sustainable energy production and water resource management in Antrim County. Its multi-arch gravity design and significant storage capacity make it a key player in the local hydroelectric industry, while its regulated operation and maintenance ensure the safety and reliability of this essential water resource structure.
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 Elk Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 207 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 216 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 163 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 301 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Rapids .
Boat launches
- Elk Lake Boat Ramp Milton Township
- North W Torch Lake Drive Milton Township
- Swaney Road Peninsula Township
- Lake Michigan, Bowers Harbor, Grand Traverse County
- Lewin Road Forest Home Township
- Grand Traverse Bay Public Water Access Site Peninsula Township
Campgrounds
- Whitewater Township Park
- Craven County Park
- Traverse City State Park Campground
- Traverse City State Park
- Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground
- Guernsey Lake - State Forest
Fishing spots
- Elk River
- East Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- West Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- Boardman River
- Kids Creek
- Boardman Lake
Track Elk Rapids 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 Elk Rapids
Where does the data for Elk Rapids 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 Elk Rapids .