Murphy Lake Level Control Structure dam
Murphy Lake Level Control Structure
The Murphy Lake Level Control Structure, also known as Murphy Lake Dam, is a privately owned dam located in Vassar, Michigan. Built in 1928, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans a length of 180 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and a surface area of 203 acres.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), this structure is regulated and inspected by the state to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a controlled spillway width of 16 feet and a maximum discharge of 300 cubic feet per second, the Murphy Lake Level Control Structure has a low hazard potential and is rated in satisfactory condition. Despite its age and the surrounding area's very high risk of flooding, this dam continues to serve its recreational function effectively.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Murphy Lake Level Control Structure provides a fascinating case study in dam management and risk assessment. While it faces potential risks due to its location and age, the structure's regular inspections and maintenance help mitigate these concerns. Its role in managing water levels on Goodings Creek showcases the importance of proper infrastructure in balancing human recreation with environmental conservation in a changing climate.
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 Murphy Lake Level Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Flint River Near Columbiaville | 167 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Otisville | 298 cfs | → |
| Cass River At Frankenmuth | 318 cfs | → |
| Farmers Creek Near Lapeer | 28 cfs | → |
| Kearsley Creek Near Davison | 39 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Flint | 500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murphy Lake Level Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Buell Lake, Genesee County
- Holloway Reservoir, 2000 Acres, Lapeer County
- Columbia Street Caro
- Mott Lake -E, 650 Acres, Genesee County
- Blue Gill Boat Launch
- Long Lake, 204 Acres, Lapeer County
Campgrounds
- Arthur Latham Park
- Otter Lake Park
- Wolverine
- Metamora - Hadley Rec Area
- Evergreen County Park
- Old Family Camp Site - Not Rentable
Fishing spots
Track Murphy Lake Level Control Structure 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 Murphy Lake Level Control Structure
Where does the data for Murphy Lake Level Control Structure 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 Murphy Lake Level Control Structure.