Wysong Dam dam
Wysong Dam
Wysong Dam, located in Traverse City, Michigan, was completed in 1989 and serves as a recreational structure for water enthusiasts in the area. The dam, standing at 11 feet tall and 59 feet long, is classified as an Earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Situated on a tributary to Lake Michigan, it offers a serene setting for activities such as boating and fishing, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its recreational appeal, Wysong Dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam's condition is currently not rated, and it has not been inspected since January 1989. While the structure has not been modified in recent years, its uncontrolled spillway type and significant hazard potential underscore the importance of regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety of both the dam and the surrounding area.
As a privately owned dam with no federal or state oversight, the responsibility for the upkeep and management of Wysong Dam falls on its private owner. With its significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, it is crucial that the owner takes proactive measures to ensure the structural integrity of the dam and implement appropriate risk management strategies. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wysong Dam presents both a recreational opportunity and a reminder of the importance of vigilance in managing and maintaining our water infrastructure.
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 Wysong Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 207 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 216 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 163 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wysong Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Michigan, Bowers Harbor, Grand Traverse County
- Grand Traverse Bay Public Water Access Site Peninsula Township
- Swaney Road Peninsula Township
- South West Bay Shore Drive Suttons Bay
- Elk Lake Boat Ramp Milton Township
- Cedar Lake Boat Ramp Greilickville
Campgrounds
- Whitewater Township Park
- Traverse City State Park Campground
- Traverse City State Park
- Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
- Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
- Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
- East Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- Elk River
- West Arm Grand Traverse Bay
- Boardman River
- Kids Creek
- Boardman Lake
Track Wysong 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 Wysong Dam
Where does the data for Wysong 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 Significant 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 Wysong Dam.