Reedsburg Dam dam
Reedsburg Dam
Reedsburg Dam, located on the Muskegon River in Michigan, stands as a significant Earth dam completed in 1941 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 15.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 11.4 feet, the dam boasts a structural height of 15.5 feet and a length of 636 feet. The dam provides a storage capacity of 3,450 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1,720 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 6,800 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the state regulatory agency MICHIGAN DEGLE, Reedsburg Dam is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 deemed it satisfactory. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 106 feet, serves as a safety feature in case of high water levels. Although the dam has not undergone modifications in recent years, it is regularly inspected every four years to ensure its continued safe operation.
Located in Missaukee County, Michigan, Reedsburg Dam offers not only recreational opportunities but also serves as a vital water resource within the region. With its moderate risk assessment rating and satisfactory condition, the dam remains a key asset in managing water levels and protecting downstream areas from potential flooding events. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering and regulatory efforts that go into maintaining the safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure.
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 Reedsburg Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 263 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 347 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 245 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,450 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pine River Near Tustin | 35 cfs | → |
| Muskegon River At Evart | 1,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reedsburg Dam.
Boat launches
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- Lake Township
- East Houghton Lake Road 10191, Butterfield Township
- Houghton Lake -Sw, 20044 Acres, Roscommon County
- South Dyer Lake Drive 8089, Clam Union Township
- Public Boat Launch Caldwell Township
Campgrounds
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
- Dyer Lake - State Forest
- North Higgins Lake State Park West Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park East Campground
- Maple Grove City Park
Track Reedsburg 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 Reedsburg Dam
Where does the data for Reedsburg 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 Reedsburg Dam.