Sterling Mall Dam dam
Sterling Mall Dam
Sterling Mall Dam, also known as the Utica Drain Control Structure, is a crucial flood risk reduction infrastructure located in Mt Clemens, Michigan. Built in 1977, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 58 feet. It primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, with a maximum storage capacity of 234 acre-feet and a normal storage of 57 acre-feet.
Situated on the Utica Drain, the Sterling Mall Dam is managed by the local government and falls under the jurisdiction of the state of Michigan. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 12 feet, capable of discharging up to 400 cubic feet per second in case of emergencies. While the dam is not regulated by the state or federal agencies, its strategic location and purpose make it a significant asset in the region's water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering marvel and functionality of the Sterling Mall Dam as it plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding areas from potential inundation. The dam's design, construction, and operational history provide valuable insights into the region's water infrastructure development and contribute to the overall resilience of the community. With a focus on flood risk reduction and recreational opportunities, the Sterling Mall Dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive dam management in safeguarding communities against natural disasters and climate-related 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 Sterling Mall Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton River At Sterling Heights | 191 cfs | → |
| Clinton River Near Fraser | 230 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Moravian Drive At Mt. Clemens | 329 cfs | → |
| North Branch Clinton River Near Mt. Clemens | 49 cfs | → |
| Plum Brook At Utica | 6 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Clinton River At Macomb | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sterling Mall Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lake St. Clair, Anchor Bay Hall Road, Macomb County
- Jefferson Avenue 36290, Harrison Township
- Lakeville Lake, 460 Acres, Oakland County
- Oakland County
- Anchor Bay Drive 9698, Clay Township
- Canal Drive 41, Pontiac
⛺ Campgrounds
- Ridgewood Campground
- Camp Rotary
- Addison Oaks County Park
- Pines Campsite
- Outpost Campsite
- Cherokee Campsite
Track Sterling Mall 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 Sterling Mall Dam
Where does the data for Sterling Mall 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 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 Sterling Mall Dam.