North Michigan Creek dam
North Michigan Creek
North Michigan Creek is a state-regulated water resource located in Jackson County, Colorado, with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, completed in 1963, is an earth-type structure standing at 60 feet tall and spanning 402 feet in length. It has a storage capacity of 1869 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 18 square miles. The dam's spillway, rated as uncontrolled, has a width of 20 feet and can discharge up to 1400 cubic feet per second.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of October 2020, North Michigan Creek Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its location and storage volume. The risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, with a risk management plan in place to mitigate potential hazards. The dam is inspected every two years to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of the surrounding area. In the event of an emergency, the dam operators are prepared to respond effectively and efficiently.
North Michigan Creek offers not only recreational opportunities but also supports fish and wildlife habitats in the area. Its importance lies not only in providing a source of enjoyment for visitors but also in maintaining the ecological balance of the Michigan River. With its significant presence in the landscape, this dam serves as a vital resource for water enthusiasts and climate advocates alike, highlighting the delicate balance between human recreation and environmental conservation.
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 North Michigan Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 30 cfs | → |
| Michigan River Near Cameron Pass | 7 cfs | → |
| Illinois Creek Near Rand | 64 cfs | → |
| Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass | 101 cfs | → |
| Colorado R Below Baker Gulch | 162 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Michigan Creek.
Boat launches
- Chambers Lake Boating Site
- Hilltop Boating Site
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Dock
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Grand County
Campgrounds
- North Michigan - State Forest State Park
- Bockman - State Forest State Park
- Ranger Lakes - State Forest State Park
- The Crags - State Forest State Park
- Chambers Lake
- Chambers Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- North Michigan Reservoir
- Ranger Lakes
- Joe Wright Fishing Site
- Joe Wright Reservoir
- Zimmerman Lake
- Chambers Lake
Track North Michigan Creek 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 North Michigan Creek
Where does the data for North Michigan Creek 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 North Michigan Creek.