Whitmore Lake Control Structure dam
Whitmore Lake Control Structure
The Whitmore Lake Control Structure in Michigan is a privately owned concrete dam completed in 1969 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 8 feet and a hydraulic height of 3 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 900 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 450 acre-feet. The structure covers a surface area of 441 acres and is located in Washtenaw County, providing a serene setting for outdoor activities in Whitmore Lake.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the Whitmore Lake Control Structure is assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of September 2020. The dam does not have a spillway and has a spillway width of 7 feet, with no locks or associated structures. The dam is inspected every 5 years, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. The risk assessment for the dam is considered high (2), indicating potential risks that need to be managed to ensure the safety of the structure and surrounding areas.
Overall, the Whitmore Lake Control Structure serves as a vital component for recreation in the area, providing a peaceful environment for visitors to enjoy water activities. While the dam's hazard potential is low, there is a need for continued monitoring and risk management to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the structure. As climate enthusiasts, it is essential to stay informed about the condition and maintenance of such water resources to protect the environment and community.
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 Whitmore Lake Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River Near Hamburg | 277 cfs | → |
| Huron River Near New Hudson | 105 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Ann Arbor | 408 cfs | → |
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor | 26 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Dexter | 67 cfs | → |
| Huron River At Milford | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitmore Lake Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Nixon Court 4019, Scio Township
- Bishop Lake Hiking Trail Hamburg Township
- Appleton Loop Hamburg Township
- Barton-Bandemer Boardwalk Ann Arbor
- Bishop Lake Road Hamburg Township
- Kent Lake, 1000 Acres, Oakland County
Campgrounds
- Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Appleton Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Bishop Lake - Brighton Rec Area
- Canoe Camping
- Group Use Area
- Group Camp 7
Track Whitmore Lake Control Structure 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 Whitmore Lake Control Structure
Where does the data for Whitmore Lake Control Structure 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 Whitmore Lake Control Structure.