Mary Lake Dam dam
Mary Lake Dam
Mary Lake Dam, also known as Hamilton Lake Chain, is a concrete structure located in Dickinson, Michigan. This dam, owned by the local government, regulates the flow of Hamilton Creek and serves various purposes beyond flood control. With a height of 6.5 feet and a storage capacity of 764 acre-feet, Mary Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Mary Lake Dam is subject to state regulations and inspections by the Michigan DEGLE. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 35 feet and has a moderate risk rating of 3. Although it has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections ensure that it meets safety guidelines and can effectively respond to emergencies.
With its strategic location and essential role in water resource management, Mary Lake Dam stands as a critical infrastructure in Dickinson, Michigan. Enthusiasts interested in climate change and water resource sustainability can appreciate the significance of this dam in maintaining the ecological balance of the Hamilton Lake Chain and surrounding areas.
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 Mary Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Niagara | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,750 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 3,150 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 265 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mary Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Mary Drive South Waucedah Township
- Waucedah Road Waucedah
- River Road Norway Township
- Hanbury Lake Road Norway
- Burgens Backwater Road Waucedah Township
- County Road 577 Faithorn Township
Campgrounds
- Summer Breeze Campground
- River Bends Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Gene's Pond State Forest Campground
- Evergreen City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- Brule Lake In Ne1/4 Sec 15, T41n, R13e To Forest Boundary In Se1/4 Sec 31, T41n, R17e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Forest Road 2156 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
Track Mary 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 Mary Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mary 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 Mary Lake Dam.