Kelly Lake Dam dam
Kelly Lake Dam
Kelly Lake Dam, also known as Bunting Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Sages Lake Development, Michigan. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. It holds a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 55 acre-feet and a surface area of 9 acres. The dam is situated on TR-Au Gres Creek and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
Despite being classified as low hazard potential with a satisfactory condition assessment, Kelly Lake Dam poses a very high risk according to a risk assessment, reflecting the importance of proper maintenance and management. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 5 feet and a maximum discharge of 8 cubic feet per second. The last inspection was conducted in October 2013, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam is located in Ogemaw County, Michigan, and falls under the Buffalo District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Kelly Lake Dam will find its unique features and risk assessment intriguing. The dam's role in recreational activities, its regulatory oversight by state agencies, and its potential impact on the surrounding area make it a significant focal point for environmental and safety considerations. As a privately owned structure, the responsibility for maintaining and managing Kelly Lake Dam rests with its owners, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and adherence to safety protocols to ensure the integrity of the dam and the protection of the community downstream.
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 Kelly Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,740 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,350 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 335 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 2,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kelly Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- George Lake Boat Launch
- Ridge Road Cumming Township
- Ranch Road Cumming Township
- Sage Lake Road 1902, Cumming Township
- Thompson's Landing River Access
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
Campgrounds
- Rifle River-Devoe Lake Rustic
- Rifle River-Spruce Rustic
- Rifle River-Ranch Rustic
- Ogemaw Sport And Trail Center – Motocross And Atv Campground
- Rollways Campground And Day Use Area
- South Branch Trail Campground
Track Kelly 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 Kelly Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kelly 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 Kelly Lake Dam.