Beaver Lake Dam dam
Beaver Lake Dam
Beaver Lake Dam, located in Lapeer, Michigan, is a private Earth dam completed in 1960 with a primary purpose of recreation. It stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 730 feet in length, holding a normal storage capacity of 1600 acre-feet of water from Beaver Creek. Managed by the USDA NRCS, the dam is state-regulated by the Michigan DEGLE and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Beaver Lake Dam is deemed satisfactory in condition as of its last inspection in 2009. While it lacks certain safety features like outlet gates and an inundation map, the dam has not experienced any major modifications since its completion. Despite its risk level, the dam serves as a popular recreational spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a serene water body and surrounding area for various outdoor activities.
Overall, Beaver Lake Dam presents an interesting case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing both the recreational benefits and potential risks associated with privately owned dams. Its historical construction and ongoing maintenance highlight the importance of proper oversight and monitoring to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the continued enjoyment of recreational opportunities provided by such structures.
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 Beaver Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 27 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Romeo | 13 cfs | → |
| East Pond Creek At Romeo | 18 cfs | → |
| South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville | 175 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 320 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaver Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Minnawanna Lake, Metamora Hadley State Park, Lapeer County
- Lake Nepessing, 414 Acres, Lapeer County
- Big Fish Lake, 105 Acres, Lapeer County
- Squaw Lake Dnr Boat Launch
- Lakeville Lake, 460 Acres, Oakland County
- Long Lake, 204 Acres, Lapeer County
Fishing spots
Track Beaver 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 Beaver Lake Dam
Where does the data for Beaver 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 Significant 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 Beaver Lake Dam.