White Rapids is a hydroelectric dam located on the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1927, this concrete structure stands at 39 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 33 feet and a structural height of 49 feet. It serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 5990 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3228 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, White Rapids has a controlled spillway with a width of 240 feet and is equipped with Tainter (radial) gates for water release. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its risk assessment is classified as very high. While the risk management measures and updated emergency action plan are not specified, the dam remains a critical structure for water resource management and climate adaptation in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find White Rapids to be a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and its impact on the surrounding environment. With its historical significance, recreational opportunities, and role in renewable energy production, this dam stands as a symbol of human ingenuity and the complex relationship between water resources, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
Year Completed |
1927 |
Dam Length |
1236 |
Dam Height |
39 |
River Or Stream |
Menominee River |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
465 |
Hydraulic Height |
33 |
Drainage Area |
3228 |
Nid Storage |
5990 |
Structural Height |
49 |
Outlet Gates |
Tainter (radial) - 9 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
49 |
Menominee River At White Rapids Dam Near Banat
|
1200cfs |
Menominee River Below Pemene Creek Near Pembine
|
1640cfs |
Menominee River At Koss
|
1920cfs |
Pike River At Amberg
|
186cfs |
Menominee River Near Mc Allister
|
2220cfs |
Menominee River Near Vulcan
|
1530cfs |