Superior Falls
Superior Falls is a gravity dam located in Iron County, Wisconsin, built in 1917. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Superior Falls
The primary purpose of Superior 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 28 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 280 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 09/14/2022.
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Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Iron |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Montreal River |
| Coordinates | 46.56510, -90.41780 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 81 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 81 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 280 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 14,000 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 | 09/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00528 |
| Federal ID | MI00528 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |