Lower Paint dam
Lower Paint
Lower Paint is a hydroelectric dam located in Iron, Michigan, along the Paint Branch river. Built in 1952, this concrete structure stands at a height of 23.1 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,846 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 2,513 acre-feet, Lower Paint serves not only for hydroelectric power generation but also as a recreational area covering a surface area of 340 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Lower Paint boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 231 feet and three Tainter radial gates for water release. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is classified as very high (1). The surrounding area and downstream regions benefit from its regulated discharge of up to 11,900 cubic feet per second, ensuring water resource management in the region.
Lower Paint is a vital infrastructure in Florence, Michigan, contributing to both renewable energy production and outdoor activities. As a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam stands as a testament to sustainable development and responsible water management practices within the region.
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 Lower Paint -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paint River Nr Alpha | 404 cfs | → |
| Brule River At Us Highway 2 Near Florence | 398 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 826 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 452 cfs | → |
| Pine River Below Pine R Powerplant Nr Florence | 473 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Paint .
Boat launches
- Lake Mary Road Mastodon Township
- Brule River Flowage Landing (Nr Brule Landing Rd In Florence Co.)
- Brule River/Menominee River -- Access
- East Superior Avenue Crystal Falls
- Fisher Lake -- Access
- Mastodon Township
Campgrounds
- Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
- Paint River Hills Campground
- Lake Ellen Camp
- Pentoga Park (Iron County Park)
- Summer Breeze Campground
- River Bends Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- 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
- Forest Road 2133 To Forest Road 2156
- Forest Road 2169 To Forest Road 2133
- Forest Road 2398 To Eastern Forest Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Lower Paint 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 Lower Paint
Where does the data for Lower Paint 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 Lower Paint .