Silver Lake Dam No. 2 dam
Silver Lake Dam No. 2
Silver Lake Dam No. 2, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a captivating structure with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1912. This earth dam serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and recreation, showcasing its dual functionality in harnessing water resources for sustainable energy production and leisure activities. With a height of 39 feet and a storage capacity of 28,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Silver Lake Dam No. 2 poses a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway type. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. Its association with two other structures further highlights its importance in the region's water management infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Silver Lake Dam No. 2 to be a fascinating example of how human ingenuity and engineering have shaped the landscape to harness the power of water for both practical and recreational purposes. As a key player in the local hydroelectric network, this dam stands as a testament to the intersection of technology, nature, and human needs in sustainable water resource management.
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 Silver Lake Dam No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 54 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Release Near Greenwood | 25 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Diversion Near Greenwood | 14 cfs | → |
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 12 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 46 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 293 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Lake Dam No. 2 .
Boat launches
- County Road Aax Champion Township
- Sm 5 Champion Township
- North Country Trail Michigamme Township
- County Road Iaj Michigamme Township
- County Road Kh Big Bay
- Harbor Road Big Bay
Campgrounds
- Little Garlic River Campsite
- Craig Lake State Park Site 16
- Craig Lake State Park Site 15
- Little Presque Isle Cabins
- Craig Lake State Park Sites 13, 14
- Craig Lake State Park Sites 4, 5
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
Track Silver Lake Dam No. 2 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 Silver Lake Dam No. 2
Where does the data for Silver Lake Dam No. 2 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 Silver Lake Dam No. 2 .