Secord Dam dam
Secord Dam
Secord Dam, located in White Star, Michigan, on the Tittabawassee River, is a privately owned structure primarily used for hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1925 by the design firm Holland, Ackerman & Holland, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and stretches 1100 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 51,000 acre-feet and a drainage area of 210 square miles, Secord Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing renewable energy to the region.
Despite its importance, Secord Dam has a high hazard potential and is currently rated as being in poor condition. The last inspection in May 2010 revealed deficiencies, prompting concerns about its structural integrity. Emergency action plans have been updated as recently as June 2018, but the risk assessment remains at a very high level. With a controlled spillway and two Tainter gates for water release, the dam's operation and maintenance require close monitoring to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
As a key feature within the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Secord Dam serves as a critical piece of infrastructure for water resource management in Gladwin County, Michigan. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is vital to recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the condition of dams like Secord to ensure their long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Ongoing efforts to address the dam's deficiencies and mitigate risks are essential for safeguarding both the local community and the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Secord Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 294 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 115 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 335 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 336 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 295 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Secord Dam.
Boat launches
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Section 23 Grim Township Road Grim Township
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
- Lakewood Street Hayes Township
- North Water Road 4063, Sanford
Campgrounds
- Gladwin City Park
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Calhoun City Campground
- Cole Family Camp
- White Pines Area
Fishing spots
Track Secord 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 Secord Dam
Where does the data for Secord 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 Secord Dam.