Big Creek Dam dam
Big Creek Dam
Big Creek Dam, located in Mio, Michigan, is a state-owned structure built on Big Creek for the primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1964, this earth dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 728 acre-feet. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 17 feet, and it has a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Big Creek Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Furthermore, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and does not have a designated emergency action plan (EAP) in place as of the last data update in 2013.
Overall, Big Creek Dam serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, providing both recreational opportunities and flood control measures. As a significant feature in Crawford County, Michigan, this dam stands as a testament to the state's commitment to managing its water resources effectively while balancing the needs of the community and the environment in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Big Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,370 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 338 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 95 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Balsam Road 6998, Charlton Township
- Legend Drive Otsego Lake Township
- Briggs Road Otsego Lake Township
- Lakeview Street Otsego Lake Township
- Reber Road Comins Township
- Big Chub Lake, 75 Acres, Otsego County
Campgrounds
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground
- Muskrat Lake Campground
- Parmalee Bridge State Forest Campground
- Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Track Big Creek 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 Big Creek Dam
Where does the data for Big Creek 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 Low 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 Big Creek Dam.