Clear Lake Dam dam
Clear Lake Dam
Clear Lake Dam, located in Ludington, Michigan, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. The earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 43 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Carr Creek, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Clear Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a high risk factor, with risk assessment at level 2. Regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
While Clear Lake Dam does not have a spillway, it is equipped with emergency action plans and preparedness measures to mitigate any potential risks. The dam is situated in a picturesque location in Lake, Michigan, offering visitors an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities in a peaceful setting. With its unique design and scenic surroundings, Clear Lake Dam is a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore Michigan's diverse landscape.
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 Clear Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pere Marquette River At Scottville | 805 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 283 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,480 cfs | → |
| White River Near Whitehall | 516 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pine River Near Tustin | 32 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River Near Croton | 2,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clear Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Sulak Road Sweetwater Township
- South Branch Road Sweetwater Township
- Nfs 5163 Sweetwater Township
- South Walhalla Road Branch Township
- Nfs 5536 Lilley Township
- Nfs 5140-A Merrill Township
Campgrounds
- Bowman Lake Campground
- Ludington East / Pere Marquette River Koa
- Sulak Campground
- Bowman Bridge Campground And River Access
- Bowman Lake Area
- Sulak Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe And Fishing Landing
- Idlewild Lake
- St. Hubert Angler Parking
- Pere Marquette River
- Hamlin Lake
- Big Sable River
Paddle runs
- 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
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
- North Branch From Its Confluence With South Branch In Sec 22, T13n, R16 W To Mclaren Lake In Sec 11, T14n, R15w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
- Mainstem To Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 2, T13n, R15w (1.5 Miles West Of Herperia)
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
Track Clear 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 Clear Lake Dam
Where does the data for Clear 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 Clear Lake Dam.