Shiawassee Flats Dam dam
Shiawassee Flats Dam
Situated in Saginaw, Michigan, the Shiawassee Flats Dam stands as a vital structure along the Shiawassee River, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1964. With a height of 12 feet and a length spanning 15,000 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 9,100 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,600 acres. Despite a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
Maintaining a controlled spillway with a width of 40 feet, the Shiawassee Flats Dam ensures a maximum discharge of 8,000 cubic feet per second to manage water levels and prevent flooding downstream. Although not federally owned or funded, the dam's strategic location in the Buffalo District plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential risks. With State jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, this dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts between local and state agencies in mitigating water resource challenges and climate-related threats in the region.
Despite its age, the Shiawassee Flats Dam continues to fulfill its essential role in providing recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential hazards. With a risk assessment indicating a very high level of risk, ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts are imperative to ensure the long-term resilience and safety of this critical water infrastructure. As climate change intensifies, the Shiawassee Flats Dam stands as a testament to the proactive measures taken to protect water resources and communities in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Shiawassee Flats Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Fosters | 330 cfs | → |
| Saginaw River At Saginaw | 0 cfs | → |
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 364 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Shiawassee River At Owosso | 361 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 336 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shiawassee Flats Dam.
Boat launches
- Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Saginaw Charter Township
- Wickes Park Drive City Of Saginaw
- Park Road 4865, Bridgeport Charter Township
- Gordonville Road Midland
- Saginaw River, Cass Ave, Bay County
- Isabella Road Midland
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Shiawassee Flats 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 Shiawassee Flats Dam
Where does the data for Shiawassee Flats 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 Shiawassee Flats Dam.