Big Quinnesec Falls dam
Big Quinnesec Falls
Big Quinnesec Falls, located in Michigan along the Menominee River, is a captivating hydroelectric structure with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1949. Designed by Meade & Hunt, this concrete dam stands at an impressive height of 77 feet, with a hydraulic height of 92 feet and a structural height of 32 feet. Boasting a multi-arch core design and supported by rock and soil foundations, the dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, while also offering recreational opportunities to visitors.
With a storage capacity of 3,790 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2,475 square miles, Big Quinnesec Falls is a significant structure in the region, capable of discharging up to 39,347 cubic feet per second through its controlled spillway. The dam's hazard potential is deemed high, reflecting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and risk assessment to ensure the safety and reliability of this key water resource infrastructure.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Big Quinnesec Falls represents a critical piece of the region's hydroelectric infrastructure, contributing to both energy production and water management efforts. As a popular destination for both hydro enthusiasts and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, this impressive dam showcases the intersection of engineering ingenuity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable resource utilization along the Menominee River.
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 Quinnesec Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River At Niagara | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Pine River Below Pine R Powerplant Nr Florence | 473 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 826 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Quinnesec Falls .
Boat launches
- Menominee River -- Sportsman Lane Boat Ramp
- Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage -- Access Niagara
- Lake Antoine Bike Path Iron Mountain
- Lake Antoine Bike Path Dickinson County
- Menominee River Access Off Of Romitti Drive
- Twin Falls Flowage -- Access
Campgrounds
- River Bends Campground
- Summer Breeze Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Gene's Pond State Forest Campground
- Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- Brule Lake In Ne1/4 Sec 15, T41n, R13e To Forest Boundary In Se1/4 Sec 31, T41n, R17e
- Forest Road 2156 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- South Branch--Origin In Sec 25, T38n, R14e To Confluence With Main Branch
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
Track Big Quinnesec Falls 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 Quinnesec Falls
Where does the data for Big Quinnesec Falls 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 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 Quinnesec Falls .