Cattail Dam dam
Cattail Dam
Cattail Dam, located in Alcona, Michigan, was completed in 1996 by the USDA Forest Service for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. This Earth dam stands at 8 feet tall and spans 445 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. The dam's hydraulic height is 7 feet, and it has a low hazard potential rating.
Managed and regulated by the Forest Service, Cattail Dam serves as a vital resource for wildlife and water management in the region. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam presents a moderate risk level (3) and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Regular inspections, with a frequency of 10 years, ensure the safety and functionality of this structure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the sustainable approach taken by the Forest Service in designing, constructing, and managing Cattail Dam. With its focus on enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, this dam plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem while also providing opportunities for recreation and water conservation. As a federally owned and funded structure, Cattail Dam exemplifies the importance of responsible water resource management in mitigating environmental hazards and promoting biodiversity.
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 Cattail Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Thunder Bay River At Herron Road Near Bolton | 659 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cattail Dam.
Boat launches
- North Skeel Road Millen Township
- Federal Route 4001 Mitchell Township
- Sawmill Point Boat Launch
- Sherman Street Lincoln
- Pine Acres Boat Launch
- Thompson's Landing River Access
Campgrounds
- Pine River Campground
- Jewell Lake Campground
- Horseshoe Lake Campground And Boat Launch
- Horseshoe Lake Campground
- Alcona Canoe Rental & Campground
- 071d
Track Cattail 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 Cattail Dam
Where does the data for Cattail 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 Cattail Dam.