Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam dam
Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam
The Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam, located in Presque Isle, Michigan, was completed in 1969 and serves primarily for the storage of tailings. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet with a hydraulic height of 45 feet, offering a storage capacity of 6,800 acre-feet and a surface area of 340 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), with regular state inspections and enforcement ensuring its safety and compliance.
Situated in a picturesque setting near Lake Huron, the Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam is subject to a moderate risk assessment, indicating a level 3 risk. While the dam has not been rated in terms of its condition, emergency action plans and guidelines have not been prepared or updated for this structure. With no associated structures or federal involvement, the dam's operational oversight falls solely under the state jurisdiction, emphasizing the importance of state regulatory agencies in ensuring the dam's integrity and safety for the surrounding community and environment.
With its uncontrolled spillway type and moderate risk assessment, the Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam stands as a key structure in the region's water resource management. As climate change impacts continue to affect water resources, the dam's role in storage and regulation becomes increasingly vital. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, monitoring and understanding the management of structures like the Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam is crucial for sustainable water resource practices in Michigan and beyond.
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 Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bay River At Herron Road Near Bolton | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 95 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 298 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
- Pine Street Presque Isle Township
- Lake Esau, 275 Acres, Presque Isle County
- County Road 634 Bismarck Township
- West Highway 9330, Bismarck Township
- Long Lake -W, 5200 Acres, Presque Isle County
- Hinks Park Road Alpena Township
Campgrounds
- Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground
- Ess Lake State Forest Campground
- Onaway State Park
- Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
- Black Lake Trail Camp - Mackinaw State Forest
- Black Lake State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Track Michigan Limestone Tailings 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 Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Michigan Limestone Tailings 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 Michigan Limestone Tailings Dam.