Thompson Dam dam
Thompson Dam
Thompson Dam, located in Beal City, Michigan, along the North Branch Chippewa River, is a privately owned structure used primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, classified as an Earth and Gravity type, stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 280 feet in length, holding a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. With its controlled spillway and low hazard potential, the dam has been deemed to be in fair condition, although its last inspection dates back to September 2001.
Despite its age, Thompson Dam continues to offer a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts, with its surface area covering 22 acres and maximum discharge capacity of 495 cubic feet per second. The dam's risk assessment ranks it as very high, with a DSAC assigned date yet to be determined. Although it has not been modified in recent years, the structure remains a vital part of the local landscape, providing both environmental benefits and recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. As a regulated and inspected site by the Michigan DEGLE, Thompson Dam serves as a valuable resource for water management and climate enthusiasts in the region.
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 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 283 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 337 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 324 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 238 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Dam.
Boat launches
- Stevenson Lake Boat Launch
- West Stevenson Lake Road Gilmore Township
- Washington Road 4863, Grant Township
- Lone Pine Road 2708, Grant Township
- Trails End Road 8817, Garfield Township
- South Shore Drive 11340, Garfield Township
Campgrounds
- Pettit Park
- Herrick Rec Area
- Coldwater Lake Family Park
- Big Mud Lake - State Forest
- Mud Lake State Forest Campground
- Merrill Lake Park
Fishing spots
Track Thompson 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 Dam
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Dam.