Sturgeon Falls
Sturgeon Falls is a concrete dam located in Dickinson County, Michigan, built in 1905. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sturgeon Falls
The primary purpose of Sturgeon Falls is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Norway, City Of (local government). It impounds the Menominee River near Marinette.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 270 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 570 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,014 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/12/2022.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Dickinson |
| Nearest City | Marinette |
| River/Stream | Menominee River |
| Coordinates | 45.74160, -87.86350 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 270 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 570 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,014 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 23,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Norway, City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00199 |
| Federal ID | MI00199 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |