Olger Lake Dam dam
Olger Lake Dam
Olger Lake Dam, located in Altona, Michigan, is a private-owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Completed in 2000, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 13.7 feet and has a length of 1080 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 96 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary to Shinglebolt Creek and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Olger Lake Dam is considered to be in fair condition, although it has not been officially rated. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet, and it has undergone inspections periodically, with the last one conducted in October 2020. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam serves its purpose effectively in providing recreational opportunities for the local community.
Overall, Olger Lake Dam serves as a vital component in managing water resources in Mecosta County, Michigan. With its location in a picturesque setting and its modest but important role in water management, it stands as a noteworthy example of how private dams can contribute to both recreation and environmental stewardship in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Olger Lake Dam to be a significant asset worth exploring and understanding in the broader context of dam infrastructure and management.
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 Olger Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Muskegon River Near Oak Grove | 244 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek Near Crystal | 30 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 283 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Rockford | 239 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olger Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Morton Township
- 105th Avenue Morton Township
- 205th Avenue Mecosta Township
- Belvidere Township
- Stanwood Boat Club
- 8 Mile Road Mecosta Township
Campgrounds
- Canadian Lakes Campground
- School Section Lake Park
- Bass Beach Campground
- Cran-Hill Ranch
- Tubbs Lake State Forest Campground
- Brower County Park
Fishing spots
- Fishing Peir
- Lake To The Hills
- Baptist Lake
- Deerfield County Park Swimming Pond
- Blanch Lake
- Idlewild Lake
Paddle runs
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- South Branch From Forest Boundary East Of Hesperia At West Section Line Of Sec 22, T14n, R14w To Echo Drive In Sec 6, T13n, R12w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
Track Olger Lake 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 Olger Lake Dam
Where does the data for Olger Lake 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 Olger Lake Dam.