Net River Dam dam
Net River Dam
The Net River Dam, located in Crystal Falls, Michigan, is a state-regulated structure on the West Branch Net River primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1953, this earthen dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a storage capacity of 4,800 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1,200 acre-feet. With a surface area of 400 acres and a drainage area of 32.8 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the Net River Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulatory standards. With an uncontrolled spillway type and a width of 44 feet, the dam presents a moderate risk level according to a recent assessment. Although there have been no significant modifications or emergency preparedness measures reported, the dam remains an important structure for both recreational use and water resource management in the area.
The Net River Dam serves as a key component in the water infrastructure of Baraga County, Michigan, providing essential benefits for both residents and visitors alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial to monitor and maintain structures like the Net River Dam to ensure their continued functionality and safety in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Net River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 167 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 491 cfs | → |
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 456 cfs | → |
| Iron River At County Hwy-424 At Caspian | 93 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 170 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Net River Dam.
Boat launches
- Net River Dam Road Covington Township
- Cable Shores Drive Hematite Township
- Fishing Site No 1 Road Hematite Township
- Vermilac Lake Road Covington Township
- Norway Lake Bates Township
- Perch Lake Road Bates Township
Campgrounds
- King Lake State Forest Campground
- Norway Lake
- Norway Lake Campground
- Perch Lake Campground
- Perch Lake
- King Lake - Copper County State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w 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@
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- 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
More reservoirs
Track Net River Dam 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 Net River Dam
Where does the data for Net River Dam 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 Net River Dam.