Thompson's Pond Dam dam
Thompson's Pond Dam
Located in Osceola, Michigan, Thompson's Pond Dam is a privately owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Constructed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 270 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam sits on Jewett Creek and features a controlled spillway with a width of 33 feet, ensuring safe water release during peak flow events. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is subject to state regulation and inspection by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
Thompson's Pond Dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational opportunities in Reed City. With a surface area of 6 acres and a normal storage level of 35 acre-feet, the dam provides a picturesque backdrop for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The dam's very high risk assessment ranking underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. In the event of an emergency, it is crucial for the dam's owners to have an effective Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place to protect downstream communities and infrastructure.
As part of the Chicago District, Thompson's Pond Dam falls under the oversight of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The dam's last inspection in September 2019 deemed its condition satisfactory, but regular assessments are essential to mitigate risks and address any potential issues. With its scenic surroundings and vital role in water resource management, Thompson's Pond Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity, environmental stewardship, and recreational enjoyment.
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 Thompson's Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,510 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pine River Near Tustin | 30 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 277 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 229 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 241 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson's Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Wells Lake Public Boat Launch
- Manistee &Amp;Amp; Grand Rapids Railroad Ellsworth Township
- Grant Township
- East 6 Mile Road 9067, Dover Township
- Sunset Boulevard 15223, Rose Lake Township
- Public Road Colfax Township
Campgrounds
- Rambadt City Park
- Blodgett Landing
- Hillside Campground
- Haymarsh State Game Area
- Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground
- Sunrise Lake Park
Fishing spots
- Idlewild Lake
- Fishing Peir
- Lake Cadillac
- Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe And Fishing Landing
- Lake To The Hills
- Suicide Bend Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
Track Thompson's Pond 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 Thompson's Pond Dam
Where does the data for Thompson's Pond 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 Thompson's Pond Dam.