Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls

Escanaba· Delta, Michigan· Built 1920· Concrete· 49 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls is classified as high hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 49 ft (taller than 96.5% in MI)
Dam Length3,300 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage1 acre-ft
Normal Storage1 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area770 sq mi
Max Discharge100,000 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDMI00167

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 12, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls built?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 4 Boney Falls?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls 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 4 Boney Falls?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls has a dam height of 49 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 4 Boney Falls last inspected?

Escanaba No 4 Boney Falls was last inspected on July 12, 2022. 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.