Bond Falls Control Dam dam
Bond Falls Control Dam
Bond Falls Control Dam, located in Paulding, Michigan, is a key structure on the Middle Branch Ontonagon River that serves multiple purposes, primarily hydroelectric power generation and recreation. Built in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 850 feet, with a storage capacity of 36,000 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is regulated by the state of Michigan and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bond Falls Control Dam has a high hazard potential, reflecting the importance of monitoring and maintaining this critical infrastructure. The dam does not have a spillway, indicating the need for careful water level management to prevent overtopping during periods of high flow. The surrounding area offers opportunities for recreational activities, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
With its rich history and significant impact on the local environment, Bond Falls Control Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and the integration of renewable energy sources. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like this play a vital role in ensuring a reliable and resilient water supply for communities and ecosystems alike.
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 Bond Falls Control Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 166 cfs | → |
| Cisco Branch Ontonagon R At Cisco Lake Outlet | 39 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 823 cfs | → |
| West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland | 69 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 145 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bond Falls Control Dam .
Boat launches
- Us 45 Haight Township
- Fs 5350 Interior Township
- Fs 5086-N Haight Township
- Us 45 Watersmeet
- Tamarack Lake Road Stambaugh Township
Campgrounds
- Bond Falls Flowage
- Robbins Pond Campground
- Burned Dam
- Burned Dam Campground
- Marion Lake 1
- Marion Lake Campground
Paddle runs
- South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
Track Bond Falls Control 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 Bond Falls Control Dam
Where does the data for Bond Falls Control 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 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 Bond Falls Control Dam .