Midland Storage Basin dam
Midland Storage Basin
The Midland Storage Basin, located in Midland, Michigan, is a key infrastructure designed primarily for flood risk reduction. Completed in 2002, this earth dam stands at a height of 20.5 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16.5 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 134 acre-feet. With its controlled spillway type, the basin covers a surface area of 19 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.03 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory as of the last inspection date in July 2019.
Managed by the City of Midland and regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the Midland Storage Basin plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. The dam's very high risk assessment underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting the surrounding community. With a designated emergency action plan (EAP) in place and a history of meeting regulatory guidelines, the basin stands as a critical asset in safeguarding against potential flooding events in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Midland Storage Basin serves as a prime example of infrastructure that harmonizes environmental protection with community safety. With its strategic location and design specifications, the dam exemplifies a proactive approach to managing flood risks and ensuring sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. The collaboration between local government, state regulatory agencies, and the community highlights the importance of proactive infrastructure investment in safeguarding against natural disasters and promoting resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.
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 Midland Storage Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tittabawassee River At Midland | 1,360 cfs | → |
| Pine River Near Midland | 332 cfs | → |
| Saginaw River At Saginaw | 0 cfs | → |
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton | 279 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Fosters | 330 cfs | → |
| South Branch Tobacco River Near Beaverton | 112 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Midland Storage Basin.
Boat launches
- Pere Marquette Rail-Trail Midland
- Gordonville Road Midland
- Isabella Road Midland
- West Irish Street 439, Sanford
- North Water Road 4063, Sanford
- Saginaw River, Cass Ave, Bay County
Campgrounds
- Black Creek State Forest Campground
- Black Creek - State Forest
- Bay City State Park Campgrounds
- Calhoun City Campground
- Herrick Rec Area
- Gladwin City Park
Fishing spots
Track Midland Storage Basin 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 Midland Storage Basin
Where does the data for Midland Storage Basin 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 Midland Storage Basin.