Braemar Lake Dam dam
Braemar Lake Dam
Braemar Lake Dam, located in Holly, Michigan, is a privately owned earth dam that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1960, this 15-foot high dam boasts a storage capacity of 900 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 73 acres. The dam, built on Buckhorn Creek, has a controlled spillway with a width of 21 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1170 cubic feet per second.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Braemar Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The dam is situated in Oakland County, Michigan, and falls under the jurisdiction of the state, ensuring that it meets all necessary safety standards and protocols. With its rich history and vital role in providing recreational opportunities, Braemar Lake Dam stands as a significant water resource infrastructure in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Braemar Lake Dam for its unique design and contribution to the local ecosystem. Its presence on Buckhorn Creek not only supports recreational activities but also plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the area. With its controlled spillway and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam continues to be a reliable structure that aligns with state regulations and inspection requirements. As a symbol of human interaction with the environment, Braemar Lake Dam serves as a fascinating site for exploring the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Braemar Lake 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 | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 52 cfs | → |
| Clinton River At Auburn Hills | 184 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 614 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Braemar Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Thomas Road Oakland County
- Crotched Lake, (Holly Recreation Area), Oakland County
- Hillsboro Road Oakland County
- Valley Lake, (Holly Recreation Area), Oakland County
- Dickinson Lake, (Seven Lakes St Park), Oakland County
- Groveland Boulevard Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Seven Lakes State Park
- Group Camping Area 3
- Group Camping Area 2
- Group Camping Area 4
- Groveland Oaks County Park
- Group Camping Area 1
Fishing spots
Track Braemar 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 Braemar Lake Dam
Where does the data for Braemar 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 Braemar Lake Dam.