Norman Smith Dam dam
Norman Smith Dam
The Norman Smith Dam in Skokum, Michigan, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational area for water enthusiasts. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 15.6 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14.5 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and a normal storage of 105 acre-feet, the dam controls the flow of a tributary to Spaulding Creek, covering a surface area of 21.6 acres.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Norman Smith Dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 6 feet and has not been modified since its construction. Despite its low hazard potential, the risk assessment for this dam is rated as very high (1), highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Located in Wexford County, Michigan, the Norman Smith Dam is a vital recreational resource for the area, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. With its picturesque setting and functional design, this dam serves as a reminder of the crucial role that water resource management plays in supporting both human recreation and environmental sustainability in the region.
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 Norman Smith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Pine River Near Tustin | 47 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 307 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 245 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norman Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- Cadillac Highway Cadillac
- North Boulevard Cadillac
- East 44 Road 11359, Clam Lake Township
- Youth Drive 17750, Rose Lake Township
- Manistee &Amp;Amp; Grand Rapids Railroad Ellsworth Township
- East 6 Mile Road 9067, Dover Township
Campgrounds
- Hemlock Campground
- Hemlock Campground And Boat Launch
- Mitchell State Park
- Ravine
- Rose Lake Park
- Lincoln Bridge State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
- Southern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Mouth At Lake Michigan
- 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
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Southeastern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Northwetern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
Track Norman Smith 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 Norman Smith Dam
Where does the data for Norman Smith 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 Norman Smith Dam.