Grand Rapids dam
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, located in Marinette, Wisconsin, along the Menominee River, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam completed in 1909. With a gravity dam type and a height of 40 feet, Grand Rapids serves the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power. Its structure spans 1,410 feet and provides a storage capacity of 3,900 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 2,500 acre-feet. The dam has a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, making it a critical asset in the region's water resource management.
Despite being privately owned, Grand Rapids is state-regulated and permitted for operation. The dam has not been inspected since 2008, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every two years. It is situated in a picturesque location with a surface area of 354 acres and a drainage area of 3,867 square miles. The dam's spillway type is controlled, ensuring proper water flow management during peak discharge periods. The risk management measures and emergency action plan for Grand Rapids are crucial in safeguarding the surrounding communities in the event of an emergency.
In the political landscape, Grand Rapids falls under the jurisdiction of the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam has historical significance, with modifications dating back to 1923. With a high structural height of 40 feet and a hydraulic height of 29 feet, Grand Rapids stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering ingenuity. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Grand Rapids to be a fascinating case study in hydroelectric infrastructure and the intersection of human development with natural ecosystems.
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 Grand Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 2,030 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Peshtigo River At Porterfield | 459 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 127 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grand Rapids.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Grand Rapids
Where does the data for Grand Rapids 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 below 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.
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.