Escanaba No 1 Dam

Escanaba River· Delta, Michigan· Built 1907· Gravity· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Escanaba No 1 Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 90.6% in MI)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage750 acre-ft
Surface Area125 acres
Drainage Area892 sq mi
Max Discharge14,600 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDMI00164

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 28, 2008
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Upper Peninsula Power Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Escanaba No 1 Dam?

Escanaba No 1 Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Escanaba No 1 Dam?

Escanaba No 1 Dam is owned by Upper Peninsula Power Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Escanaba No 1 Dam built?

Escanaba No 1 Dam was completed in 1907, making it 119 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Escanaba No 1 Dam?

Escanaba No 1 Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Escanaba No 1 Dam?

Escanaba No 1 Dam has a dam height of 31 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Escanaba No 1 Dam last inspected?

Escanaba No 1 Dam was last inspected on May 28, 2008. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.