Barton Dam dam
Barton Dam
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Barton Dam stands as a critical water resource infrastructure responsible for the primary purpose of water supply. Constructed in 1913 and designed by Gardner S. Williams, this earth dam spans a length of 1767 feet and reaches a height of 24 feet, with a hydraulic height of 20.5 feet. The dam's reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 5040 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 7298 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 728 square miles.
Barton Dam not only ensures water supply but also supports hydropower generation and recreational activities along the Huron River. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment of 2, the dam's safety measures and regulatory oversight fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The dam boasts ten Tainter radial gates for water control and has a spillway width of 207 feet. Despite its high risk designation, Barton Dam plays a crucial role in water management within the region.
As a cornerstone of water supply infrastructure in Washtenaw County, Barton Dam symbolizes both the challenges and opportunities presented by managing water resources in a changing climate. Its historical significance, coupled with its ongoing maintenance and risk management efforts, highlight the delicate balance between harnessing water for human needs and protecting communities from potential hazards. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Barton Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the face of evolving hydrological conditions.
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 Barton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 337 cfs | → |
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 4 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 46 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 204 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Saline | 41 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near New Hudson | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barton Dam .
Boat launches
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Geddes Road Ann Arbor
- Gallup Park Pathway Ann Arbor Township
- Dexter-Hudson Mills Washtenaw B2b Trail Section Dexter
- Dexter-Hudson Mills Washtenaw B2b Trail Section Scio Township
Campgrounds
- Canoe Camping
- Group Use Area
- Pinckney-Crooked Lake Rustic
- Bishop Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Appleton Lake - Brighton Rec Area
Track Barton 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 Barton Dam
Where does the data for Barton 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 Barton Dam .