Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (3)
About Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)
Big Quinnesec Falls was a waterfall on the Menominee River on the Wisconsin and Michigan border, between Niagara, Wisconsin, and Breitung Township, Michigan. The site has been used for water power since the late 1800s, when the Hydraulic Power Company dammed the falls to supply compressed air to iron mines at Iron Mountain, and it is now occupied by the Big Quinnesec hydroelectric dam, owned by Wisconsin Electric Power Company. USGS lists the falls as historical, and the original drop no longer exists in its natural form.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Sand Portage Falls (5 ft) lies 4.1 miles to the east.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no published trail to the falls site. The river here is taken up by the Big Quinnesec dam and powerhouses; stay outside fenced or posted dam areas.
What to Expect
Visitors should expect to see a hydroelectric dam and altered river flow rather than a natural waterfall. The area may still offer scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape.
Accessibility
Accessibility information is not well-documented. Visitors with mobility concerns should contact local authorities for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and summer may offer the best weather for exploring the area, but the site can be visited year-round.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the dam and river. Water levels and flow can change rapidly, creating hazardous conditions. Follow all posted signs and warnings.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Menominee River, 3.2 miles away, not on Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)'s own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,080 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 34 years of record
5.09 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MENOMINEE RIVER AT NIAGARA, WI (5 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
989 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
1094 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
1033 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
953 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
898 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
910 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
928 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early June, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Niagara hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Big Quinnesec Falls (historical) Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded big river, rarely freezes solid
Big Quinnesec Falls (historical) is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 60°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1290 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Wisconsin.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 96 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,030 feet above sea level.
Water arrives on almost flat ground and leaves through a ravine that loses about 87 feet in the first 500 feet below the falls. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,030 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 96 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The site is on the Menominee River at the Big Quinnesec hydroelectric dam, between Niagara, Wisconsin, and Breitung Township, Michigan.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,033 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.786901° N, -88.040681° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check local regulations and signage before visiting. Be cautious around the dam and river, as water levels and flow can change rapidly due to dam operations.
Where to Stay
Mountain Host Motor Inn
Pine Mountain Resort
Comfort Inn Iron Mountain North
Baymont by Wyndham Iron Mountain
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
LAURA LAKE CAMPGROUND
23.2 miles away · 41 sites
Overview With two beautiful clear water lakes, undeveloped shoreline, and restricted motor use, Laura Lake Campground provides an exceptional camping opportunity. Recreation The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Those most enjoyed at Laura Lake are fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking the trail that goes around the lake. The area also provides a bike trail that runs along the old Lake 9 railroad grade. Facilities Laura Lake Camp
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions may include other sections of the Menominee River, local parks, and small towns in both Wisconsin and Michigan.
Wildlife
The area around the river may host a variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and small mammals.
Cities near Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)
Nearby Waterfalls
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