Mc Gillis Creek Dam dam
Mc Gillis Creek Dam
Mc Gillis Creek Dam, located in Alcona, Michigan, was completed in 1992 and serves a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 9.5 feet, with a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 9.5 feet. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 14 acres, with a drainage area of 2.7 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) and undergoes regular inspections.
With a moderate risk rating of 3, the Mc Gillis Creek Dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and does not feature any outlet gates or locks. While its condition is currently not rated, the dam is subject to an inspection frequency of 5 years to ensure its safety and integrity. Although there are no associated structures or emergency action plans in place, the dam is owned and regulated by federal agencies, ensuring that it meets all necessary guidelines and standards for operation. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Mc Gillis Creek Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation within the state of Michigan.
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 Mc Gillis Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,430 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Thunder Bay River At Herron Road Near Bolton | 843 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mc Gillis Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- North Skeel Road Millen Township
- Federal Route 4001 Mitchell Township
- Sawmill Point Boat Launch
- Thompson's Landing River Access
- Pine Acres Boat Launch
- Sherman Street Lincoln
Campgrounds
- Pine River Campground
- Jewell Lake Campground
- Horseshoe Lake Campground And Boat Launch
- Horseshoe Lake Campground
- Alcona Canoe Rental & Campground
- 071d
Track Mc Gillis 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 Mc Gillis Creek Dam
Where does the data for Mc Gillis 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 Mc Gillis Creek Dam.