Homestead Dam dam
Homestead Dam
Homestead Dam, also known as Homestead Hydro Plant Dam, is located in Elberta, Michigan along the Betsie River. Completed in 1979, this state-owned dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a tranquil spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a structural height of 14 feet and a hydraulic height of 13.4 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 1800 acre-feet and a normal storage of 675 acre-feet.
The dam poses a significant hazard potential, but its condition was assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in May 2016. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 59 feet, and the dam has a drainage area of 159 square miles. While the risk assessment categorizes the dam's risk as moderate, it is under the regulatory oversight of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). The dam also falls within the jurisdiction of the state and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Homestead Dam provides not only a recreational space for visitors but also serves as a vital structure for water management along the Betsie River. As a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam's features and operations offer insights into the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems. With its serene location and important role in managing water resources, Homestead Dam stands as a key landmark in Benzie, Michigan, showcasing the balance between human needs and environmental stewardship.
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 Homestead Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At Honor | 148 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 257 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 186 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Homestead Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Homestead Dam
Where does the data for Homestead 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 below 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.
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.