Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam dam
Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam
The Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam, located in Highwood, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure built in 1955 for recreational purposes along the Little Molasses River. This earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet with a hydraulic height of 9.4 feet and a length of 3350 feet, providing storage for up to 4100 acre-feet of water. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition, as per the last inspection in July 2019.
Despite its modest size and low hazard potential, the Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam plays a vital role in the local ecosystem by supporting recreational activities and providing water storage for the surrounding area. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 20 feet, ensures that excess water can safely flow out during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding downstream. The dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate, indicating that ongoing monitoring and maintenance are necessary to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
With its scenic location and importance for water resource management, the Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam serves as a valuable asset for the community of Highwood and the broader Gladwin County, Michigan. Its role in providing recreational opportunities, water storage, and flood protection underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring this essential infrastructure to support both human and environmental needs in the region.
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 Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle River Near Sterling | 337 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 297 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 116 cfs | → |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 336 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Mount Pleasant | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam.
Boat launches
- Section 23 Grim Township Road Grim Township
- Norway Street Hay Township
- Wixom Lake, 1980 Acres, Gladwin County
- East Pinconning Road Pinconning Township
- Saginaw Bay Lake Huron, Coggins Rd, Bay County
- Saginaw Bay Lake Huron, Pine River, Arenac County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Molasses River Flooding #3 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 Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam
Where does the data for Molasses River Flooding #3 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 Molasses River Flooding #3 Dam.