Superior Dam dam
Superior Dam
Superior Dam, located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, is a captivating structure with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1919. Owned by the local government, this earth and gravity dam stands at a height of 25 feet, with a hydraulic height of 16.5 feet and a structural height of 35 feet. Its primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, with a storage capacity of 2,803 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 700 acre-feet.
The dam, situated on the Huron River, plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region. With a maximum discharge capacity of 17,200 cubic feet per second, a controlled spillway measuring 163 feet, and a hazard potential rated as high, Superior Dam is a key infrastructure for ensuring the safety and sustainability of the surrounding area. While the condition assessment is not currently available, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its regulation and inspections.
Despite its age, Superior Dam continues to serve as a vital asset for the community, providing renewable energy and essential water management functions. With its impressive length of 496 feet and surface area of 103 acres, this dam represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Superior Dam in the local ecosystem and its role in sustainable energy production make it a captivating site worth exploring and studying in-depth.
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 Superior Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 4 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 337 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Saline | 41 cfs | → |
| Middle River Rouge At Plymouth | 40 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 46 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 204 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Superior Dam .
Boat launches
- Gallup Park Pathway Ann Arbor Township
- Geddes Road Ann Arbor
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Lake Point Boulevard Van Buren Township
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Hines Drive Livonia
Campgrounds
- Wayne County Fairgrounds Rv
- Group Use Area
- East Bend Group Camp
- Kc Campgrounds
- Canoe Camping
- Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area
Track Superior 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 Superior Dam
Where does the data for Superior 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 Superior Dam .