Varvil Dam dam
Varvil Dam
Varvil Dam, also known as Lake Dana Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Marquette, Michigan. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 160 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a surface area of 15 acres.
Situated on Sawmill Creek, Varvil Dam is regulated by the Michigan DEGLE and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, this dam provides valuable recreational opportunities while also managing water resources in the area. Despite its age, the dam's condition is currently not rated, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to safeguard its long-term functionality and safety for both the environment and local community.
Although Varvil Dam does not have associated federal agency involvement, its presence plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and recreational activities. With its uncontrolled spillway type and moderate risk assessment, it serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in ensuring the sustainable use of water resources amidst a changing climate.(Collectors please fact-check).
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 Varvil Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 54 cfs | → |
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 12 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Diversion Near Greenwood | 14 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Release Near Greenwood | 25 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 293 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Varvil Dam.
Boat launches
- Hoist Dam Road Negaunee Township
- Old County Road 510 Negaunee Township
- County Road Aax Champion Township
- County Road Kh Big Bay
- Basin Access Road Marquette Township
- Harbor Road Big Bay
Campgrounds
- Little Garlic River Campsite
- Little Presque Isle Cabins
- Rippling River Resort
- Private Camp
- Big Eric's Bridge State Forest Campground
- Craig Lake State Park Site 16
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
Track Varvil 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 Varvil Dam
Where does the data for Varvil 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 Varvil Dam.