Chalk Hill dam
Chalk Hill
Chalk Hill is a concrete hydroelectric dam located on the Menominee River in Marinette, Michigan. Built in 1927 by Holland Ackerman & Holland, this structure serves as both a source of renewable energy and a recreational area. Standing at a height of 41.3 feet and a length of 1936 feet, Chalk Hill plays a crucial role in water resource management within the region, with a maximum storage capacity of 8120 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3220 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chalk Hill is considered to have a high hazard potential due to its structural design and location. With a controlled spillway width of 264 feet and 11 Tainter (radial) outlet gates, the dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 80,000 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment remains at a very high level, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of its operations for both water resource management and local communities.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Chalk Hill serves as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship. Its role in providing clean energy, recreational opportunities, and flood control highlights the complex balance required in managing water resources in a sustainable and responsible manner. With ongoing risk assessments and regulatory oversight, Chalk Hill stands as a vital piece of infrastructure in the region's efforts to adapt to changing climate conditions and ensure the resilience of its water systems for future generations.
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 Chalk Hill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 2,910 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 240 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Koss | 3,600 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Mc Allister | 3,330 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chalk Hill .
Boat launches
- Menominee River -- White Rapids Dam Access
- Menominee River -- Access At River Rd
- County Road 356 Lake Township
- Broberg Lane No 23 Lake Township
- Shakey Lane Lake Township
- Wolf Lake -- Access - S End Lake - Warren Rd
Campgrounds
- Evergreen City Park
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Cedar River North State Forest Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Old Veterans State Camp Ground
- Old Veterans Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e To Forest Boundary In Sec 24, T35n, R16e
- Confluence With Armstrong Creek To Sec 12/13 Line, T35n, R16e
- 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge To Confluence With Armstrong Creek
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- 1/4 Mile Downstream From Ccc Bridge To 1/4 Mile Upstream From Evans Bridge
- Railroad Bridge To 1/4 Mile Downstream From The Ccc Bridge
Track Chalk Hill 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 Chalk Hill
Where does the data for Chalk Hill 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 Chalk Hill .