Buck Creek Dam dam
Buck Creek Dam
Buck Creek Dam, located in Iosco, Michigan, is a federal-owned structure primarily managed by the Forest Service for the purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a hydraulic height of 11 feet, with a length of 250 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 53 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 92 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Buck Creek Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 20 feet, and has undergone regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The Forest Service oversees the operations, inspections, and regulatory aspects of the dam to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Buck Creek Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for supporting fish and wildlife habitats, as well as providing recreational opportunities in the area. The dam's presence on Buck Creek not only helps in water storage and management, but also contributes to the overall ecosystem health and biodiversity of the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and proper management of structures like Buck Creek Dam become increasingly important in sustaining the delicate balance of nature and meeting the needs of both humans and wildlife.
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 Buck Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 332 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Near Caseville | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buck Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Sawmill Point Boat Launch
- Pine Acres Boat Launch
- Thompson's Landing River Access
- North Skeel Road Millen Township
- Federal Route 4001 Mitchell Township
- George Lake Boat Launch
Fishing spots
- Cooke Dam Pond
- Foote Dam (Au Sable River)
- Whirlpool Angler Access
- Sprinkler Lake Access Site
- Londo Lake
- East Branch Au Gres River
More reservoirs
Track Buck Creek 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 Buck Creek Dam
Where does the data for Buck Creek 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 Buck Creek Dam.