Sunset Lake Dam dam
Sunset Lake Dam
Sunset Lake Dam, located in Altona, Michigan, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). Completed in 1981, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 340 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a normal storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 60 acre-feet, Sunset Lake Dam poses a low hazard potential and has been assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of September 2016.
Situated on the Tr W Br Little Muskegon River, this dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has a drainage area of 0.6 square miles. While it has not undergone any modifications in recent years, Sunset Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) date, indicating a relatively stable and well-maintained condition.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sunset Lake Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. From its role in providing recreational opportunities to its importance in managing water levels and flow in the area, this dam serves as a critical piece of the local landscape. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the dam, its presence highlights the ongoing need for responsible stewardship of our water resources in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Sunset Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 241 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 29 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 274 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 237 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 105th Avenue Morton Township
- Morton Township
- Belvidere Township
- Hall Lake Boat Ramp
- 205th Avenue Mecosta Township
- Midway Walk 399, Belvidere Township
Campgrounds
- Canadian Lakes Campground
- School Section Lake Park
- Bass Beach Campground
- Blanchard Millpond Park
- Tubbs Lake State Forest Campground
- Cran-Hill Ranch
Fishing spots
- Fishing Peir
- Lake To The Hills
- Deerfield County Park Swimming Pond
- Baptist Lake
- Blanch Lake
- Bostwick Lake
Paddle runs
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- 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
- 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 Sunset 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 Sunset Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sunset 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 Sunset Lake Dam.