Morris Lake Dam dam
Morris Lake Dam
Morris Lake Dam, also known as West Branch Steel Company Dam, is a private dam located in Ogemaw County, Michigan. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans a length of 350 feet, with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for visitors. Situated on a tributary to Parren Creek, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 124 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 430 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in September 2018, Morris Lake Dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam poses some potential risks that are managed through unspecified risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 53 feet and has not been modified in recent years, indicating a stable structure that continues to serve its recreational purpose in Bomanville, Michigan.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Morris Lake Dam can appreciate its role in providing recreational opportunities while being regulated and inspected by the state. The dam's historical significance, moderate risk assessment, and satisfactory condition assessment offer a glimpse into the ongoing management and maintenance efforts to ensure the safety and functionality of this earth dam in Ogemaw County. With a focus on public safety and environmental stewardship, Morris Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in the Michigan landscape.
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 Morris Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 292 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 242 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 377 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 99 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morris Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
- Sage Lake Road 1902, Cumming Township
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Ranch Road Cumming Township
- Ridge Road Cumming Township
Campgrounds
- Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- Cole Family Camp
- White Pines Area
- Ogemaw Sport And Trail Center – Motocross And Atv Campground
Track Morris 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 Morris Lake Dam
Where does the data for Morris 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 Morris Lake Dam.