Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike dam
Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike
Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike in Michigan is a key structure designed for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 250 feet, with a storage capacity of 36,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,160 acres. Located on the Middle Branch Ontonagon River in Ontonagon County, this dam is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (MICHIGAN DEGLE).
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the operations and inspections of the Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulatory standards. With a spillway width of 285 feet and a hazard potential rated as high, the dam poses a moderate risk, prompting ongoing risk management measures. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone recent condition assessments, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term functionality and safety.
The dam's association with multiple structures and its strategic location make Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike a critical component of water resource management in the region. As a notable feature in the St. Paul District, this dam serves as a testament to the intersection of engineering innovation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable energy production. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find the Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike an intriguing case study in the balancing act between human development and ecological conservation.
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 Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 599 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 150 cfs | → |
| West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland | 55 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 213 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike .
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike
Where does the data for Bond Falls Auxiliary Dike 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.