Lake James Dam dam
Lake James Dam
Lake James Dam, located in Houghton Lake, Michigan, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational destination for water enthusiasts. Built in 1962 on Denton Creek, this earth dam stands at a height of 17.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16 feet. With a storage capacity of 2465 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 750 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 900 acres and serves a drainage area of 41 square miles.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2019, Lake James Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential due to its proximity to populated areas. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 80 feet and is regularly inspected by the state regulatory agency in Michigan, DEGLE. Although there are no associated structures or locks, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing recreational opportunities for the local community.
With its moderate risk assessment rating and a history of periodic inspections, Lake James Dam remains a vital component of the water resource infrastructure in Roscommon County, Michigan. As a popular spot for outdoor activities, the dam's presence on Denton Creek contributes to both the natural beauty of the area and the recreational enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
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 James Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 218 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 377 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 Lake James 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
- Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park East Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park West Campground
Track Lake James 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 James Dam
Where does the data for Lake James 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 High 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 James Dam.