Saxon Falls dam
Saxon Falls
Saxon Falls, located in Gogebic, Michigan, is a gravity dam completed in 1912 primarily for hydroelectric power generation on the Montreal River. The dam stands at 35 feet tall and spans 510 feet, with a storage capacity of 550 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 9,500 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, Saxon Falls has a low hazard potential and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for inspections and regulation.
The dam serves a dual purpose of hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a controlled spillway and Tainter radial gate for water release. The surrounding area offers a surface area of 69 acres for outdoor activities, making it a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to visit. While the dam is considered to have a very high risk due to its age, it still plays a vital role in providing renewable energy and maintaining the ecological balance of the Montreal River.
Overall, Saxon Falls is a significant structure in the Michigan landscape, showcasing the importance of sustainable hydroelectric power generation and environmental stewardship. With its historical significance and continued operation, the dam serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between water resources, climate, and human development. Visitors to Saxon Falls can appreciate both the engineering marvel of the dam and the natural beauty of the surrounding area, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in water management and conservation efforts.
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 Saxon Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Bessemer | 98 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 468 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 212 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 16 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saxon Falls .
Boat launches
- Saxon Falls Flowage -- Access
- Lake Superior -- Saxon Harbor Access
- Lake Road Ironwood Township
- Weber Lake -- Access
- Park Street 1, Montreal
- Upson Lake Road Town Of Anderson
Campgrounds
- Little Girls Point Campground
- Potato River Falls
- Potato River Falls County Forest
- Gold Mine West
- Wren Falls
- Sandy Ledges Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Minnewawa Falls To Lake Superior
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Saxon Falls 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 Saxon Falls
Where does the data for Saxon Falls 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 Saxon Falls .