Sturgeon Falls dam
Sturgeon Falls
Sturgeon Falls, located in Marinette, Michigan, along the Menominee River, is a significant hydroelectric dam with a rich history dating back to 1905. This concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 37 feet and stretches 270 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet with a surface area of 570 acres. With a drainage area of 3014 square miles, Sturgeon Falls has a maximum discharge of 23800 cubic feet per second and is classified as having a significant hazard potential.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sturgeon Falls plays a pivotal role in generating hydroelectric power for the local community. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 40 feet and is equipped with two Tainter radial gates for water release. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but it undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a very high risk rating and a notable presence in the region, Sturgeon Falls serves as a key player in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the area.
As an essential piece of infrastructure in the region, Sturgeon Falls not only contributes to renewable energy production but also poses a critical point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its historical significance, structural design, and operational capabilities, the dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the power of water for the greater good. As discussions around water security, climate resilience, and sustainable energy sources continue to evolve, Sturgeon Falls remains a focal point for understanding the intersection of engineering, environment, and community well-being.
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 Sturgeon Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee River Near Vulcan | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Niagara | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine | 2,220 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
| Pike River At Amberg | 140 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat | 2,550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sturgeon Falls .
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Sturgeon Falls
Where does the data for Sturgeon 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.