Sanford dam
Sanford
Sanford Dam, located on the Tittawabassee River in Michigan, is a private-owned structure designed by HOLLAND, ACKERMAN & HOLLAND for hydroelectric purposes. Built in 1925, this concrete dam stands at a height of 36 feet and has a storage capacity of 15,000 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge of 31,000 cubic feet per second. The dam's spillway, controlled with a width of 139 feet, helps manage water flow and prevent flooding in the area.
With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Sanford Dam faces significant challenges in terms of safety and emergency preparedness. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its regulations and inspections, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Despite its age, the dam remains a crucial infrastructure for water resource management and hydroelectric power generation in the region, serving as a key component of the local ecosystem and economy.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and importance of infrastructure like Sanford Dam is essential for safeguarding water resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By staying informed about the condition and management of such structures, we can contribute to sustainable practices and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Sanford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pine River Near Midland | 328 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,520 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 292 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 110 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 268 cfs | → |
| Saginaw River At Saginaw | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanford .
Boat launches
- West Irish Street 439, Sanford
- North Water Road 4063, Sanford
- Isabella Road Midland
- Pere Marquette Rail-Trail Midland
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- Gordonville Road Midland
Campgrounds
- Black Creek State Forest Campground
- Black Creek - State Forest
- Calhoun City Campground
- Herrick Rec Area
- Gladwin City Park
- Pettit Park
Fishing spots
Track Sanford 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 Sanford
Where does the data for Sanford 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 Sanford .