Blue Lake Dam dam
Blue Lake Dam
Blue Lake Dam in Gladwin, Michigan, is a private-owned structure regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Completed in 1961, this earth dam stands at 17 feet in height and spans 200 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 220 acre-feet. The dam serves a primary purpose of "Other" and is classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment.
Located in a tributary to the North Branch Cedar River, Blue Lake Dam contributes to the local water resource management and flood control efforts in the area. With a spillway width of 4 feet and a drainage area of 0.28 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the stability of the surrounding ecosystem. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam remains essential for water conservation and environmental protection in the region.
Overall, Blue Lake Dam is a vital component of the water infrastructure in Gladwin, Michigan, providing essential services for the community while being subject to regular state inspection and enforcement. With its strategic location and functional design, the dam continues to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources and climate resilience in the area, ensuring the safety and well-being of local residents and ecosystems for years to come.
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 Blue Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 297 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 259 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 337 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 374 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Boat Launch (Concrete, Public) Harrison
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Houghton Lake -Sw, 20044 Acres, Roscommon County
- Lincoln Township
- Lone Pine Road 2708, Grant Township
Campgrounds
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Gladwin City Park
- Wilson State Park
- Calhoun City Campground
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
Track Blue 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 Blue Lake Dam
Where does the data for Blue 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 Blue Lake Dam.