Little Quinnesec Falls
Little Quinnesec Falls is a gravity dam located in Marinette County, Wisconsin, built in 1900. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Little Quinnesec Falls
The primary purpose of Little Quinnesec Falls is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. It impounds the Menominee River near Niagara.
The dam stands 67 feet tall and stretches 112 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 349 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,470 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 07/13/2022.
At 67 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Wisconsin dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Marinette |
| Nearest City | Niagara |
| River/Stream | Menominee River |
| Coordinates | 45.77350, -87.98920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 67 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 112 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 349 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,470 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 33,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner Type | Not Listed |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WI00755 |
| Federal ID | WI00755 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |