Lake Lancer Dam dam
Lake Lancer Dam
Lake Lancer Dam, also known as Sugar River Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Wooden Shoe Village, Michigan. Constructed in 1976, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and spans a length of 7175 feet along the Sugar River. The primary purpose of Lake Lancer Dam is for recreation, offering a surface area of 977 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 17,500 acre-feet.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. With a high hazard potential due to its location and the surrounding area, Lake Lancer Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of the last inspection in October 2019. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam meets guidelines for emergency action plans, although updates may be necessary to address any potential risks.
With the Sugar River flowing through Gladwin County, Michigan, the Lake Lancer Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and recreational activities in the region. Whether for boating, fishing, or simply enjoying the picturesque surroundings, this dam serves as a vital structure for both locals and visitors alike, contributing to the beauty and functionality of the area's waterways.
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 Lancer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 302 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 118 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 354 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 297 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 404 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 274 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Lancer Dam.
Boat launches
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- Section 23 Grim Township Road Grim Township
- Boat Launch (Concrete, Public) Harrison
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
Campgrounds
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Gladwin City Park
- Calhoun City Campground
- Cole Family Camp
- White Pines Area
Track Lake Lancer 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 Lancer Dam
Where does the data for Lake Lancer 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 Lancer Dam.