Saxon Falls is a gravity dam located in Gogebic County, Michigan, built in 1912. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 510 ft long, taller than 80% 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 Saxon Falls
The primary purpose of Saxon 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 Northern States Power Co (public utility). It impounds the Montreal River.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 510 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 69 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 262 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century 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. The most recent inspection on record was 09/13/2022.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Gogebic |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Montreal River |
| Coordinates | 46.53920, -90.37450 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 510 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 69 acres |
| Drainage Area | 262 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Northern States Power Co |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00196 |
| Federal ID | MI00196 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |