Lake Le Vasseur Dam dam
Lake Le Vasseur Dam
Lake Le Vasseur Dam, also known as Mud Lake Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Marquette, Michigan. The dam, completed in 1953, serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for water enthusiasts. It stands at a height of 12 feet and has a hydraulic height of 11 feet, with a length of 900 feet and a storage capacity of 858 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Le Vassuer Creek and has a surface area of 165 acres, providing a picturesque setting for various outdoor activities.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Lake Le Vasseur Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safe operation. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 210 feet, and its hazard potential is classified as low, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2020. Despite a moderate risk rating, the dam's risk management measures are not specifically outlined, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards and ensure public safety.
In the heart of the natural beauty of Marquette, Michigan, the Lake Le Vasseur Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of water resources and human recreation. With its tranquil waters and lush surroundings, the dam offers a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature. While maintaining a low hazard potential, the dam's ongoing risk assessment and management underscore the importance of responsible stewardship to preserve this beloved recreational haven for future generations.
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 Lake Le Vasseur Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 354 cfs | → |
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 18 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Diversion Near Greenwood | 22 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Release Near Greenwood | 25 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Le Vasseur Dam.
Boat launches
- North Country Trail Chocolay Township
- North Country Trail Onota Township
- North Point Road Onota Township
- Lakeshore Boulevard Marquette
- Peter White Drive Marquette
- Engman Lake Access Road West Branch Township
Campgrounds
- Rippling River Resort
- Little Lake State Forest Campground
- Little Presque Isle Cabins
- Au Train Lake Campground
- Forest Lake State Forest Campground
- Little Garlic River Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- From Sixteen Mile Lake To North Line Of Sec 26, T43n, R19w
- Section 17, T48n, R17w (Boundary Of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Lands) To Mouth At Lake Superior
Track Lake Le Vasseur 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 Lake Le Vasseur Dam
Where does the data for Lake Le Vasseur 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 Lake Le Vasseur Dam.