Way Dike G dam
Way Dike G
Way Dike G is a crucial part of Michigan's water resource infrastructure, serving as a key component in flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreational activities. Located on the Michigamme River in Iron Mountain, this earth dam stands at 15 feet tall and stretches over 1205 feet in length. Built in 1941, it has a storage capacity of 125,350 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6400 acres, with a drainage area of 645 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Way Dike G has a high hazard potential and is considered to be at risk for potential incidents. Despite its critical role in water resource management, the condition assessment of the dam is currently listed as "Not Available," highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. Emergency action plans are in place, with the last revision in 2005, but there is room for improvement in terms of meeting guidelines and preparing inundation maps.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of dams like Way Dike G in maintaining the balance between water management, energy production, and recreation. By staying informed about the condition and risk assessment of such infrastructure, we can advocate for proper maintenance and emergency preparedness measures to safeguard both the environment and local communities that rely on these resources.
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 Way Dike G -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 456 cfs | → |
| Paint River Nr Alpha | 413 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 834 cfs | → |
| Brule River At Us Highway 2 Near Florence | 375 cfs | → |
| Menominee River At Twin Falls Near Iron Mt | 3,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Way Dike G .
Boat launches
- Lake Mary Road Mastodon Township
- East Superior Avenue Crystal Falls
- Sawyer Lake Road Channing
- Kohon Road Crystal Falls Township
- Sheltrow Road Crystal Falls Township
- M 95 Channing
Campgrounds
- Lake Ellen Camp
- Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
- Paint River Hills Campground
- Silver Lake Resort
- Squaw Lake State Forest Campground
- North Horseshoe Lake State Forest 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
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- Forest Road 2156 To Eastern Forest Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Way Dike G 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 Way Dike G
Where does the data for Way Dike G 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 Way Dike G .