Brown Bridge Dam dam
Brown Bridge Dam
Brown Bridge Dam, located in Traverse City, Michigan, stands as a vital structure along the Boardman River, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1921. This earth dam, with a height of 46 feet and a length of 2400 feet, boasts a storage capacity of 2800 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for water-based activities in its 191-acre surface area. While not currently regulated by the state, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and risk management measures.
Despite its age, Brown Bridge Dam has not undergone any significant modifications in recent years, with its last inspection dating back to 2008. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 60 feet, helps regulate the flow of water in times of excess, ensuring the safety of downstream areas. However, the dam's hazard potential rating of "Very High (1)" underscores the importance of thorough risk assessments and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate any potential dangers associated with its operation.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Brown Bridge Dam presents a unique blend of historical significance and recreational value within the Grand Traverse County landscape. With its picturesque location and rich history, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Brown Bridge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 207 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 163 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 283 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Bridge Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Michigan, Traverse City 4 Mile Rd, Grand Traverse County
- North Country National Scenic Trail Fife Lake Township
- Silver Lake Public Boat Launch
- Tacs Dock Traverse City
- Lake Shore Drive 11283, Fife Lake Township
- Fishing Site Road 6998, Long Lake Township
Campgrounds
- Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
- Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
- Schecks Place - State Forest
- Scheck's Place State Forest Campground
- Schecks Place Trail Camp - State Forest
- Forks - State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Southeastern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Northwetern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Southern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Mouth At Lake Michigan
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
Track Brown Bridge 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 Brown Bridge Dam
Where does the data for Brown Bridge 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 Brown Bridge Dam.