Smallwood Dam dam
Smallwood Dam
Smallwood Dam, located in Highwood, Michigan, along the Tittabawassee River, stands as a testament to engineering excellence since its completion in 1925 by HOLLAND, ACKERMAN & HOLLAND. This private-owned structure primarily serves as a hydroelectric power source, with a dam height of 36 feet and a length of 612 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 9000 acre-feet and a surface area of 402 acres, providing vital water resources for the region.
With a controlled spillway type and two Tainter (radial) outlet gates, Smallwood Dam is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 10,000 cubic feet per second. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2010, the dam poses a high hazard potential, prompting the need for regular inspections and risk management measures. The risk assessment categorizes the structure as very high risk, underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness and adherence to guidelines for mitigating potential threats.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Gladwin, Michigan, Smallwood Dam not only contributes to hydroelectric power generation but also plays a crucial role in water storage and management in the region. Its historical significance, combined with its ongoing operational and safety considerations, make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to understand the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Smallwood Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 373 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 127 cfs | → |
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 495 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,560 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 376 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 298 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smallwood Dam.
Boat launches
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Section 23 Grim Township Road Grim Township
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- North Water Road 4063, Sanford
- West Irish Street 439, Sanford
- East Greenwood Road Mills Township
Campgrounds
- Gladwin City Park
- Calhoun City Campground
- Trout Lake State Forest Campground
- House Lake State Forest Campground
- Black Creek - State Forest
- Black Creek State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Track Smallwood 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 Smallwood Dam
Where does the data for Smallwood 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 Smallwood Dam.