Big Drake Dam dam
Big Drake Dam
Big Drake Dam, nestled in Marquette, Michigan, is a private-owned recreational structure that stands as a vital water resource in the area. Built on Bryan Creek, this Earth dam boasts a height of 9 feet and a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet, providing essential water storage for various recreational activities. With a surface area of 32 acres, the dam serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based adventures.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), Big Drake Dam has undergone regular inspections, with the latest assessment conducted in August 2019, deeming the structure to be in satisfactory condition. While the dam poses a low hazard potential, the risk assessment identifies a high risk level, prompting the need for effective risk management measures to ensure the safety and preservation of this crucial water infrastructure. With its scenic location and recreational significance, Big Drake Dam continues to be a key attraction for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
As stakeholders continue to monitor and maintain Big Drake Dam, its role in providing water storage for recreational purposes remains paramount. The dam's presence not only enhances the local landscape but also underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. With a focus on safety, risk assessment, and environmental stewardship, Big Drake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resources and climate considerations in ensuring a thriving and resilient community for generations to come.
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 Drake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 12 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Diversion Near Greenwood | 14 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Release Near Greenwood | 25 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 293 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 54 cfs | → |
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 1,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Drake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road Pfj Tilden Township
- County Road 581 West Branch Township
- West Crooked Lake Lane Forsyth Township
- Greenwood Reservoir Road Ely Township
- West Knudsen Road Forsyth Township
Campgrounds
- Private Camp
- Bass Lake State Forest Campground (Marquette)
- West Branch State Forest Campground
- Anderson Lake West State Forest Campground
- North Horseshoe Lake State Forest Campground
- Silver Lake Resort
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
- Brule Lake In Ne1/4 Sec 15, T41n, R13e To Forest Boundary In Se1/4 Sec 31, T41n, R17e
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
Track Big Drake 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 Drake Dam
Where does the data for Big Drake 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 Drake Dam.