Power Dam Falls
Just upstream from Powerhouse Falls, Power Dam Falls is an interesting if small drop on Falls River. The water is split into two streams by a chunk of rock plopped in the middle, with the left channel plunging down a series of chutes between the layers and the right a more direct cascade down. Smaller drops are scattered around the falls.
Also, depending on exactly where the old dam stood on Falls River, this waterfall may have been submerged for decades.
Directions
Heading south on US-41 from the Baraga County Tourism Bureau/Subway entrance of L’Anse go to Power Dam Road and turn right, located about 1.2 miles up the hill. Power Dam Road has a sharp bend but stay on it, passing East River Drive, until you hit the dead end. From here you can either hike downstream through the small, dewatered reservoir to the falls or head right to Powerhouse Falls right before the road ends, viewing Powerhouse Falls first before following the river upstream.
Photographs
Visits
Seen in April and June.
- snow still on the upper drops
With some time to spare Cory and I bushwhacked upstream. I had heard some rumors that there may be the remains of an old dam or extra drops above the old power station but didn't notice anything too strange. There were some old foundations right above the station along with some stepping rapids, and a decent set of drops much farther upstream, though nothing that rivaled the main falls. For a location with a power station, and a name like Powerhouse Falls, where exactly did the reservoir sit?
On the way we found Power Dam Falls, a small drop just upstream of Powerhouse Falls.
This must be where the reservoir was, years ago, though it must not have been too large. The river ran through the middle of the meadow and I followed it downstream to a few small drops. There was nothing here that promised waterfalls.
Comments
2 comments
I was looking at some old aerials of the area randomly and it appears there was a dam located at the end of Power Dam Rd at least until 1951. It was either drawn down or damaged between 1951 and 1983, then removed between 1998 and 2005.
Thanks for the extra info!
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