Phoenix Dam dam
Phoenix Dam
Phoenix Dam, located in Plymouth, Michigan, along the Middle Branch River Rouge, is a gravity dam completed in 1920 primarily designed for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 24 feet with a length of 500 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet and a surface area of 35 acres. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in January 2018, with a high hazard potential due to its location and the surrounding area.
Managed by the local government, Phoenix Dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 2,860 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 56.15 square miles, the dam serves as a vital component in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Phoenix Dam to be a significant structure offering both recreational opportunities and essential water management functions. Its historical significance, coupled with its current operational capabilities and regulatory oversight, make it a fascinating subject for those interested in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety in the context of water resource management.
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 Phoenix Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Rouge At Plymouth | 40 cfs | → |
| Upper River Rouge At Farmington | 24 cfs | → |
| Middle River Rouge Near Garden City | 115 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Southfield | 68 cfs | → |
| Lower River Rouge At Inkster | 132 cfs | → |
| River Rouge At Detroit | 114 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phoenix Dam.
Boat launches
- Longwood Court Northville Township
- Hines Drive Livonia
- Hines Drive 33469, Livonia
- Wolverine Lake, 241 Acres, Oakland County
- Monroe Street Dearborn
- Kent Lake, 1000 Acres, Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Group Use Area
- Wayne County Fairgrounds Rv
- Proud Lake State Rec Area
- Group Camp 2
- Group Camp 6
- Group Camp 7
Track Phoenix 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 Phoenix Dam
Where does the data for Phoenix 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 High 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 Phoenix Dam.