Superior Falls dam
Superior Falls
Superior Falls is a captivating hydroelectric dam located on the Montreal River in Iron, Wisconsin. Built in 1917, this gravity dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 240 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet. Operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Superior Falls serves a dual purpose of hydroelectric power generation and recreation, offering a surface area of 17 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Despite being classified as having low hazard potential, Superior Falls poses a very high risk in terms of its structural integrity, with a risk assessment rating of 1. This rating underscores the importance of regular inspections, which are conducted every 3 years to ensure the dam's safety and stability. Equipped with a controlled spillway and radial outlet gates, this multi-arch dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Montreal River and harnessing its power for electricity generation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Superior Falls presents a prime example of how dams can serve as both functional infrastructure and recreational attractions. With its historical significance and engineering marvel, this dam stands as a testament to the ingenuity and innovation behind hydroelectric power generation, while also highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management and maintenance to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
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 Superior Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad River Near Odanah | 468 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Bessemer | 98 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 212 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 16 cfs | → |
| Presque Isle River Near Tula | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Superior Falls .
Boat launches
- Lake Superior -- Saxon Harbor Access
- Saxon Falls Flowage -- Access
- Lake Road Ironwood Township
- Weber Lake -- Access
- Upson Lake Road Town Of Anderson
- Park Street 1, Montreal
Campgrounds
- Little Girls Point Campground
- Potato River Falls
- Potato River Falls County Forest
- Wren Falls
- Gold Mine West
- Sandy Ledges Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Minnewawa Falls To Lake Superior
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- West Branch, Mi State Highway 28 To Cascade Falls
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Superior 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 Superior Falls
Where does the data for Superior 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 Superior Falls .