Prince Lake Dam dam
Prince Lake Dam
Prince Lake Dam, located in Rochester, Michigan, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1963 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 440 feet, the dam provides essential storage of 310 acre-feet of water and covers a surface area of 28 acres. It is situated on a tributary to the West Branch Stony Creek, within the Buffalo District, and is under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Prince Lake Dam poses a moderate risk with a moderate (3) risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 3 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 54 cubic feet per second. Regular state inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the dam's integrity and safety. The surrounding area, with a drainage area of 1.8 square miles, benefits from the recreational opportunities and water storage provided by the dam for both residents and visitors to enjoy.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is currently unknown, raising concerns about its preparedness for potential risks. Nevertheless, Prince Lake Dam continues to serve as a vital structure for water resource management and recreational activities in the Oakland County area, under the oversight of the Michigan DEGLE. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate awareness can appreciate the significance of this dam in balancing the needs of both humans and the environment.
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 Prince Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stony Creek Near Romeo | 13 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Washington | 23 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek At Rochester | 18 cfs | → |
| East Pond Creek At Romeo | 15 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Auburn Hills | 77 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Clinton River At Macomb | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prince Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Oakland County
- Lakeville Lake, 460 Acres, Oakland County
- Squaw Lake Dnr Boat Launch
- Cedar Key Drive 2375, Oakland County
- F-All Visitors Loop Oakland County
- Lake Oakland, 735 Acres, Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Addison Oaks County Park
- Pine Grove Campsite
- Pines Campsite
- Chippewa Campsite
- Outpost Campsite
- Cherokee Campsite
Track Prince Lake 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 Prince Lake Dam
Where does the data for Prince Lake 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 Prince Lake Dam.