Hemlock Falls dam
Hemlock Falls
Hemlock Falls, a hydroelectric dam located in Iron Mountain, Michigan, is a concrete gravity dam with a height of 34 feet and a hydraulic height of 30.1 feet. Constructed in 1953, it serves as a crucial source of renewable energy in the region, with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 410 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 16,000 cubic feet per second, ensuring efficient water resource management in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Hemlock Falls not only contributes to clean energy production but also provides recreational opportunities for the community. With a controlled spillway width of 201 feet and three Tainter (radial) outlet gates, the dam has a low hazard potential and is inspected every three years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite a very high risk assessment rating, the dam's risk management measures are not specified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding environment.
In the picturesque setting of the Michigamme River, Hemlock Falls stands as a testament to sustainable energy development and water resource conservation. Its historical significance and technological advancements make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of hydroelectric power generation and environmental stewardship in the Great Lakes 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 Hemlock Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 999 cfs | → |
| Paint River Nr Alpha | 417 cfs | → |
| Menominee River Near Florence | 2,180 cfs | → |
| Brule River At Us Highway 2 Near Florence | 470 cfs | → |
| Brule River Near Commonwealth | 952 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 Hemlock Falls .
Boat launches
- Lake Mary Road Mastodon Township
- East Superior Avenue Crystal Falls
- Kohon Road Crystal Falls Township
- Sheltrow Road Crystal Falls Township
- Sawyer Lake Road Channing
- Us 2 Crystal Falls Township
Campgrounds
- Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
- Lake Ellen Camp
- 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
- Forest Road 2156 To Eastern Forest Boundary
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
More reservoirs
Track Hemlock Falls 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 Hemlock Falls
Where does the data for Hemlock 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 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 Hemlock Falls .