Manistique Papers Dam dam
Manistique Papers Dam
The Manistique Papers Dam, also known as the Paper Mill Dam, is a private concrete structure located on the Manistique River in Manistique, Michigan. Completed in 1919, this dam primarily serves a recreational purpose and stands at a height of 25 feet with a length of 6180 feet. It has a storage capacity of 6000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 480 acres, making it a significant feature in the area's water resource management.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the Manistique Papers Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with a high hazard potential due to its age and structural integrity. The last inspection in 2016 highlighted these concerns, prompting the need for improved risk management measures to address the very high risk level associated with the dam. As a regulated structure under the Michigan DEGLE, the dam plays a crucial role in the local water management system, but its condition warrants attention and potential upgrades to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
As a key component of the Manistique River's infrastructure, the Manistique Papers Dam presents both challenges and opportunities for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its historical significance, high hazard potential, and current poor condition underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring, assessment, and potentially rehabilitation efforts to ensure the dam's continued safety and functionality in the face of changing climate conditions and evolving regulatory standards. The dam serves as a focal point for discussions around water management, recreation, and public safety, highlighting the complex interplay between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems in our efforts to sustainably steward our water resources for future generations.
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 Manistique Papers Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Manistique River Near Manistique | 3,000 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction | 292 cfs | → |
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Garnet | 39 cfs | → |
| Escanaba River At Cornell | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Ford River Near Hyde | 411 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Manistique Papers Dam.
Boat launches
- 442 Thompson Township
- Hiawatha Shores Thompson Township
- West Lakeshore Drive Thompson
- Fishingsite Road Thompson Township
- Merwin Creek Road Manistique Township
- North Gulliver Lake Road Doyle Township
Campgrounds
- Merwin Creek State Forest Campground
- Bear Lake Campsites
- Jack Pine Lodge Campground
- Carr Lake Campsites
- Indian River Campground
- Lyman Lake Campsites
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- From Sixteen Mile Lake To North Line Of Sec 26, T43n, R19w
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- Section 17, T48n, R17w (Boundary Of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Lands) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
Track Manistique Papers 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 Manistique Papers Dam
Where does the data for Manistique Papers 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 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 Manistique Papers Dam.