White Cloud Dam dam
White Cloud Dam
White Cloud Dam, also known as the Municipal Power Plant Dam, is a key infrastructure located in White Cloud, Michigan. Completed in 1872, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of recreation and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). Situated on the White River, the dam has a hydraulic height of 18.9 feet, a length of 950 feet, and a storage capacity of 475 acre-feet, making it a significant water management structure in the region.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, White Cloud Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. In case of emergencies, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is crucial for preparedness and risk management. The dam's spillway type is controlled, with a width of 158 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 2600 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, White Cloud Dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management and recreational activities in the area.
Overall, White Cloud Dam stands as a historic and essential piece of infrastructure in Newaygo County, Michigan. Its presence on the White River not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to water storage and management in the region. With ongoing inspections and a focus on risk management, the dam remains a key asset for both the local government and water resource enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and climate resilience.
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 White Cloud Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 244 cfs | → |
| White River Near Whitehall | 516 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Muskegon | 17 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 239 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Cloud Dam.
Boat launches
- North Country Scenic Trail Campground Spur Everett Township
- Shaw Park Drive Newaygo
- Nagek Drive Merrill Township
- Sarell Street Newaygo
- Timberview Drive Brooks Township
- Ramshorn Drive Fremont
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Blanch Lake
- St. Hubert Angler Parking
- Baptist Lake
- Fishing Peir
- Idlewild Lake
- Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe And Fishing Landing
Paddle runs
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
More reservoirs
Track White Cloud 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 White Cloud Dam
Where does the data for White Cloud 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 White Cloud Dam.