Lower Dam dam
Lower Dam
Lower Dam, also known as Lower Falls Dam, is a federal-owned structure located in Kenton, Michigan along the East Branch Ontonagon River. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at 23 feet high and spans 160 feet in length, with a primary purpose of recreation. With a normal storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1120 cubic feet per second, Lower Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Lower Dam poses a very high risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding area. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 10 feet and vertical lift outlet gates. While the last inspection was conducted in 2007, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 10 years, it is crucial for the dam to undergo regular assessments and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the safety of the community and environment.
As a key recreational structure in Houghton County, Michigan, Lower Dam provides opportunities for outdoor activities and water-related experiences for locals and visitors alike. With its picturesque setting and the East Branch Ontonagon River flowing nearby, Lower Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving water resources and maintaining infrastructure to support both recreational enjoyment and environmental sustainability in the region.
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 Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 145 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 166 cfs | → |
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 505 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 823 cfs | → |
| Iron River At County Hwy-424 At Caspian | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Lower Dam Road Duncan Township
- Sidnaw South Road Sidnaw
- Bergland To Sidnaw Rail-Trail Sidnaw
- Norway Lake Bates Township
- Ponozzo Road Bates Township
Campgrounds
- Lake Sainte Kathryn Campground
- Lake Ste. Kathryn
- Lake Ste Kathryn Campground
- Norway Lake Campground
- Norway Lake
- Tepee Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w 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
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
Track Lower 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 Lower Dam
Where does the data for Lower 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 Lower Dam.