Sanback Dam dam
Sanback Dam
Sanback Dam, also known as Metcalf Dam, is a gravity-type structure located in Rose City, Michigan, along Beach Creek. Built in 1857, this historic dam stands at 24 feet tall and spans 600 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam is owned by the local government and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE).
With a significant hazard potential and an unsatisfactory condition assessment, Sanback Dam is in need of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and stability. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 14 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 770 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, although its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk.
As a key structure in the region, Sanback Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and engineering feat of this gravity dam, while also recognizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard its functionality and prevent potential hazards.
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 Sanback Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,500 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,290 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 332 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanback Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Ranch Road Cumming Township
- Ridge Road Cumming Township
- Sage Lake Road 1902, Cumming Township
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
- George Lake Boat Launch
- Thompson's Landing River Access
⛺ Campgrounds
- Ogemaw Sport And Trail Center – Motocross And Atv Campground
- Rifle River-Ranch Rustic
- Rifle River-Devoe Lake Rustic
- Rifle River-Spruce Rustic
- Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground
- Paul Bunyan Scout Reservation
Track Sanback 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 Sanback Dam
Where does the data for Sanback 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 Significant 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 Sanback Dam.