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Way Dam Quick Facts

Location: Iron, Michigan
Coordinates: 46.1595, -88.236
River: Michigamme River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Concrete Arch
Commissioned: 1941
Dam Height: 47 ft (14 m)
Dam Length: 345 ft (105 m)
Dam Capacity: 125,350 acre-ft (154,617 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Satisfactory
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Way Dam Map

Way Dam Information

Way Dam is a concrete arch dam located about 26 miles from Iron Mountain, Iron, Michigan.

The dam, which is on the Michigamme River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Recreation and Flood Risk Reduction benefits.

The dam was designed by Holland Ackerman & Nolland – Mead & Hunt and commissioned in 1941 and is currently owned by Wisconsin Electric Power Company.

Way Dam Structure

The Way Dam is approximately 345 feet (105 m) long, 47 feet (14 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Way Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 100,592 acre-ft (124,078 Ml) and maximum capacity of 125,350 acre-ft (154,617 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 6,400 acres (2,590 ha) and the total catchment area is 645 square miles (1,671 square kilometres).

Way Dam Spillway

The dam spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 17000 cubic feet per second (481 cubic metres per second).

Way Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Way Dam
Iron, Michigan
Height (ft)
47
Length (Ft)
345
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
125,350
Drainage Area (sq miles)
645
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Way Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Way Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 23:39
Sunrise 07:18
Sunset 16:08
Temperature (°F) 22
Feels Like (°F) 12
Cloud Coverage (%) 100
Pressure (inHg) 1010
Humidity (%) 87
Wind Speed (mph) 9
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Way Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 16 24 14 1027 72 11 30 SSW 100 - light snow
Wed 16 27 16 998 80 17 36 NW 100 - snow
Thu 12 23 10 1023 79 19 42 NW 100 - light snow
Fri 7 21 9 1024 74 8 21 W 0 - overcast clouds
Sat 6 33 20 1016 72 10 41 SW 0 - overcast clouds
Sun 30 40 34 1003 82 11 38 SW 0 - overcast clouds
Mon 34 37 36 1002 100 9 26 W 100 1 light rain
Tue 23 34 19 1020 76 10 23 NW 20 - light snow

Way Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Way Dam?

Way Dam is in Michigan.

In which county is the Way Dam?

Way Dam is in Iron County.

How high is the Way Dam?

Way Dam is 47 feet high.

How long is the Way Dam?

Way Dam is 345 feet long.

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More Dams in Iron County:

Brule Dam
Gile Dam
Michigamme Falls Dam
New Viburnum Tailings Dam
Peavy Falls Dam
Queen Mary Dam
Turtle-Flambeau Dam
Way Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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