Van Etten Lake Dam dam
Van Etten Lake Dam
Van Etten Lake Dam in Oscoda-Au Sable, Michigan, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Completed in 1947, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet with a length of 150 feet, holding a storage capacity of 5040 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 1320 acres. The dam is located on the Pine River and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with regular inspections ensuring its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential.
With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge capacity of 5000 cubic feet per second, Van Etten Lake Dam poses a low risk of failure, as indicated by a very high risk assessment rating of 1. Despite this, the dam lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps. The structure's strategic location and contribution to the local ecosystem make it a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the impact of dams on rivers and surrounding areas, prompting further exploration and study into its management and maintenance practices.
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 Van Etten Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Au Sable | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Near Caseville | 64 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 359 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Van Etten Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Sawmill Point Boat Launch
- Pine Acres Boat Launch
- Sherman Street Lincoln
- Thompson's Landing River Access
- Lost Lake Trail Lost Lake Woods
- North Skeel Road Millen Township
Fishing spots
- Whirlpool Angler Access
- Foote Dam (Au Sable River)
- Cooke Dam Pond
- Sprinkler Lake Access Site
- East Branch Au Gres River
- Hubbard Lake
More reservoirs
Track Van Etten Lake 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 Van Etten Lake Dam
Where does the data for Van Etten Lake 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 Van Etten Lake Dam.