Marsh Creek Pool Dam dam
Marsh Creek Pool Dam
Marsh Creek Pool Dam, located in Schoolcraft, Michigan, is a federal-owned structure designed by the USDA Bureau of Agricultural Engineering in 1937. The dam, standing at 10 feet high with a length of 28,800 feet, serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond on Marsh Creek. It is regulated and inspected by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, with a low hazard potential but rated as in poor condition during its last assessment in 2018. Despite its age, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, with a storage capacity of 16,406 acre-feet and a controlled spillway to handle a maximum discharge of 1,860 cubic feet per second.
The dam has been modified in 1960 for structural improvements, and its primary purpose remains the support of fish and wildlife habitat in the region. With a very high risk rating of 1, there are no Emergency Action Plans in place, and the condition assessment raises concerns about its current state. Although the dam is not managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, its significance in the local ecosystem and water management cannot be overstated. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of structures like Marsh Creek Pool Dam are essential for sustainable environmental stewardship and the protection of wildlife in the area.
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 Marsh Creek Pool Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Manistique River Near Manistique | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Garnet | 12 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction | 115 cfs | → |
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Tahquamenon River Near Paradise | 615 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marsh Creek Pool Dam .
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Marsh Creek Pool Dam
Where does the data for Marsh Creek Pool 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 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 below 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.
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.