Munuscong Bay Dam dam
Munuscong Bay Dam
Munuscong Bay Dam, located in Chippewa County, Michigan, was completed in 1966 and serves as a crucial structure on the Munuscong River for recreational purposes. This earth-type dam stands at 7 feet high and spans 12,000 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 2,250 acre-feet. Despite its relatively low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, suggesting the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
With a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 680 cubic feet per second, Munuscong Bay Dam plays a vital role in regulating water flow and managing potential flood risks in the region. While the dam is currently in a not-rated condition assessment status, regular inspections are scheduled every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Additionally, there are no associated locks or outlet gates with the dam, highlighting its straightforward and uncontrolled spillway design.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts follow the developments surrounding Munuscong Bay Dam, they are reminded of the importance of maintaining and managing such structures to safeguard communities and ecosystems against potential risks and hazards. With its location in a recreational area and its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam serves as a reminder of the critical balance between human activities and natural water systems in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Munuscong Bay Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Garnet | 38 cfs | → |
| Tahquamenon River Near Paradise | 1,560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Munuscong Bay Dam.
Boat launches
- South Krause Road Pickford Township
- South Scenic Drive Bruce Township
- Sailors Encampment Drive 1600, St. Joseph Township
- South Dock Road Raber Township
- Jocelyn Township
- Township Boat Launch Road Raber Township
Campgrounds
- Munuscong River - State Forest
- Munuscong River State Forest Campground
- Kinross Rv Park East
- Kinross Rv Park West
- Lime Island State Forest Campground
- Aune - Osborn Rv Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Origin At Confluence Of Outlets Of Frenchman Lake And Carp Lake (Sec 26, T44n, R6w) To West Section Line Of Sec 30, T43n, R5w
- Source In Sec 21, T47n, R12w To Mouth At Whitefish Bay
- East Branch From Western Forest Boundary (Sec 19, T46n, R6w) To Confluence With Mainstem
Track Munuscong Bay 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 Munuscong Bay Dam
Where does the data for Munuscong Bay 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 Munuscong Bay Dam.