Denton Creek Flooding Dam dam
Denton Creek Flooding Dam
Denton Creek Flooding Dam, located in Prudenville, Michigan, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1954 for recreation purposes along Denton Creek. With a structural height of 11 feet and a hydraulic height of 9.2 feet, this dam has a capacity of 18,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 820 cubic feet per second. The dam covers a surface area of 270 acres and serves a drainage area of 14.5 square miles.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Denton Creek Flooding Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway type and a spillway width of 321 feet. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, and it is subject to inspections every four years to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2009, and further risk management measures are yet to be implemented.
As a key infrastructure along Denton Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region. Its significance lies in providing recreational opportunities while mitigating potential risks associated with flooding and water discharge. Continued maintenance and monitoring are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Denton Creek Flooding Dam for the community and the environment.
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 Denton Creek Flooding Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 377 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 218 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 242 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 99 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 292 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Denton Creek Flooding Dam.
Boat launches
- Houghton Lake -Sw, 20044 Acres, Roscommon County
- Lake Township
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- East Houghton Lake Road 10191, Butterfield Township
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Chase Bridge Road 10199, South Branch Township
Campgrounds
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park East Campground
Track Denton Creek Flooding 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 Denton Creek Flooding Dam
Where does the data for Denton Creek Flooding 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 Denton Creek Flooding Dam.