Otter Lake Diversion Dam dam
Otter Lake Diversion Dam
Built in 1979, the Otter Lake Diversion Dam in Baraga, Michigan, serves as a crucial structure along the Sturgeon River for flood risk reduction and recreation purposes. This gravity dam stands at 11 feet high and spans 197 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 30,800 acre-feet. While primarily owned by the local government, it is also regulated and inspected by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) to ensure its safe operation and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 78 feet, helps to manage excess water flow during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Although last inspected in 1989, the dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," highlighting the importance of regular assessments to ensure its structural integrity and safety for surrounding communities.
With its scenic location and vital role in flood protection, the Otter Lake Diversion Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, structures like this dam play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against potential flooding and water-related disasters.
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 Otter Lake Diversion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 61 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 491 cfs | → |
| Trap Rock River Near Lake Linden | 86 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 167 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 840 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter Lake Diversion Dam.
Boat launches
- Myllyia Road Portage Township
- Manninen Road Portage Township
- Sturgeon River Road Chassell Township
- Us 41 Chassell Township
- White City Road Torch Lake Township
- Fisherman's Lane Chassell Township
Campgrounds
- L'Anse Township Park Campground
- Lanse Township Park
- Baraga State Park
- Hancock Recreation Area
- Emily Lake State Forest
- Emily Lake State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
Track Otter Lake Diversion 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 Otter Lake Diversion Dam
Where does the data for Otter Lake Diversion 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 Otter Lake Diversion Dam.