Lake Neva Dam dam
Lake Neva Dam
Lake Neva Dam in Union Lake, Michigan, stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management. Constructed in 1955, this earth dam spans 485 feet in length and reaches a height of 17 feet, offering recreational opportunities and vital water storage. With a normal storage capacity of 288 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 700 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of Cedar Creek and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Lake Neva Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in December 2015. With a spillway width of 32 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 285 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle significant water flow events while serving as a recreational hub for the local community.
Lake Neva Dam's risk assessment categorizes it as having a moderate risk level, emphasizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures. As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the dam's role in maintaining water supply and flood control will become increasingly significant. With a focus on safety, sustainability, and effective operation, Lake Neva Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate 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 Lake Neva Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River At Milford | 73 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near New Hudson | 105 cfs | → |
| Upper River Rouge At Farmington | 11 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Auburn Hills | 87 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Birmingham | 13 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Southfield | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Neva Dam.
Boat launches
- Cedar Island Lake, 144 Acres, Oakland County
- White Lake, 540 Acres, Oakland County
- Pontiac Lake -N, 585 Acres, Oakland County
- Ladue Street Waterford Township
- Union Lake, 465 Acres, Oakland County
- Alderman Lake Boat Landing Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Pontiac Lake State Rec Area
- Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Group Campground
- Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Modern Campground
- Highland State Rec Area
- Proud Lake State Rec Area
- Camp Dearborn
Fishing spots
Track Lake Neva 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 Lake Neva Dam
Where does the data for Lake Neva 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 Lake Neva Dam.