7th Spectacle Lake Dam dam
7th Spectacle Lake Dam
Located in Mio, Michigan, the 7th Spectacle Lake Dam, also known as Bigger Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1939, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a length of 100 feet, holding a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. Situated in Otsego County, Michigan, this dam overlooks the tributary to W Branch Big Creek, providing a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the 7th Spectacle Lake Dam is state-regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safe operation. Despite its low hazard potential, this dam poses a moderate risk, as indicated by the annual risk assessment. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment and no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared, but it meets regulatory guidelines for operation.
Visitors to the 7th Spectacle Lake Dam can enjoy its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing, while also appreciating the engineering feat that went into its construction almost a century ago. With its serene surroundings and historical significance, this dam is a must-visit destination for those interested in water resources and climate 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 7th Spectacle Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,340 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 332 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 97 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 301 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,680 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near 7th Spectacle Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Balsam Road 6998, Charlton Township
- Legend Drive Otsego Lake Township
- Briggs Road Otsego Lake Township
- Lakeview Street Otsego Lake Township
- Big Chub Lake, 75 Acres, Otsego County
- North Roberts Road Maple Forest Township
Campgrounds
- Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground
- Avery Lake State Forest Campground
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
- Muskrat Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Track 7th Spectacle 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 7th Spectacle Lake Dam
Where does the data for 7th Spectacle 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 7th Spectacle Lake Dam.