Kingsford dam
Kingsford
Kingsford is a captivating hydroelectric dam located on the Menominee River in Michigan. Built in 1924, this concrete dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 849 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 6891 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, making it a vital resource for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Kingsford has a low hazard potential but is considered to have a very high risk level. Despite this, the dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment, highlighting potential concerns about its current state. With a controlled spillway and 10 Tainter gates for outlet control, Kingsford plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Menominee River and providing valuable water resources to the surrounding community.
As an enthusiast for water resources and climate, Kingsford presents an intriguing case study in the intersection of hydroelectric power generation, recreational use, and dam safety. With its rich history dating back nearly a century, this dam continues to be a key player in shaping the landscape of the Menominee River and the surrounding area. Keeping a close eye on the condition and risk level of Kingsford will be essential in ensuring the ongoing sustainability and safety of this critical water resource infrastructure.
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 Kingsford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
| Pine River Below Pine R Powerplant Nr Florence | 473 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Niagara | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 826 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kingsford .
Boat launches
- Menominee River -- Sportsman Lane Boat Ramp
- Ellwood Lake -- Access
- Lake Antoine Bike Path Iron Mountain
- Menominee River Access Off Of Romitti Drive
- Pine River -- Access At Cth N
- Twin Falls Flowage -- Access
Campgrounds
- River Bends Campground
- Summer Breeze Campground
- New Prospect - Kettle Moraine State Forest
- Twelve Foot Falls County Park
- Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
- Laura-Gordon Lakes 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
- Forest Road 2133 To Forest Road 2156
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
Track Kingsford 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 Kingsford
Where does the data for Kingsford 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 Low 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 Kingsford .