Hemlock Falls is a concrete dam located in Iron County, Michigan, built in 1953. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 45 ft45 ft tall and 409 ft long, taller than 90% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Hemlock Falls
The primary purpose of Hemlock 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 Wisconsin Electric Power Company (public utility). It impounds the Michigamme River near Iron Mountain.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 409 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 75 acres, has a storage capacity of 410 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 665 square miles. Completed in 1953, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 06/20/2019.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Iron |
| Nearest City | Iron Mountain |
| River/Stream | Michigamme River |
| Coordinates | 46.13120, -88.22520 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 409 ft |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 410 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 410 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 75 acres |
| Drainage Area | 665 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/20/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00172 |
| Federal ID | MI00172 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |