Escanaba No 3 dam
Escanaba No 3
Escanaba No 3 is a concrete, earth, gravity dam located in Escanaba, Michigan, completed in 1919. This multi-arch dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans a length of 1300 feet, with a storage capacity of 1 acre-foot. Situated on the Escanaba River, the dam has a maximum discharge of 21,100 cubic feet per second and features three Tainter radial gates as outlet structures.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Escanaba No 3 has a high hazard potential and is categorized as a moderate risk structure. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. The Emergency Action Plan was last revised in December 2020, ensuring that necessary measures are in place in case of emergencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Escanaba No 3 a fascinating structure, with its historical significance and vital role in managing water flow in the Escanaba River. While the dam poses a high hazard potential, its risk is considered moderate, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness. As a key feature in Michigan's water infrastructure, Escanaba No 3 serves as a reminder of the intersection between human engineering and natural resources.
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 Escanaba No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ford River Near Hyde | 428 cfs | → |
| Escanaba River At Cornell | 849 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction | 219 cfs | → |
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 3,520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Escanaba No 3 .
Boat launches
- County 420 21st Road Escanaba Township
- South 1st Street Wells
- North Lake Shore Drive Gladstone
- Bath House Road Escanaba
- Portage Point Road Ford River Township
- Ford River Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Pioneer Trail Park Campground
- Little Bay De Noc Camp Ground
- Little Bay De Noc Campground
- Haymeadow Creek Campsites
- Haymeadow Creek Campground
- Flowing Well Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
- From Sixteen Mile Lake To North Line Of Sec 26, T43n, R19w
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- Section 17, T48n, R17w (Boundary Of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Lands) To Mouth At Lake Superior
Track Escanaba No 3 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 Escanaba No 3
Where does the data for Escanaba No 3 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 Escanaba No 3 .