LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Ford Dam Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainAbout Ford Dam Falls
Ford Dam Falls is the spillway of the Kingsford hydroelectric dam on the Menominee River at Kingsford, on the Michigan-Wisconsin border. The concrete dam, about 35 to 38 feet high, was built in 1924 when Ford Motor Company developed Kingsford and is now operated by We Energies. Water over the spillway depends on river flow and dam operations.
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
This is a man-made spillway at an active hydroelectric dam, not a natural waterfall. Flow over it varies with river levels and power generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ford Dam Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Ford Dam Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit, as water flow is higher during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Water below hydroelectric dams can rise suddenly when gates open. Stay out of the river and away from posted dam security areas.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Menominee River, 13.3 miles away, not on Ford Dam Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,480 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 38 years of record
5.43 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MENOMINEE RIVER NEAR VULCAN, MI (21 km away).
Today
Low
1598 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
1811 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
1619 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
1530 cfs
6/10Sun
Barely Flowing
1480 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
1574 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
1540 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).
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 Kingsford hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Ford Dam Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Ford Dam Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 60°F to 32°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1540 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 Michigan.
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.
1-meter lidar measures about 60 feet of descent through Ford Dam Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,037 feet above sea level.
Most of the action is upstream: the ground drops about 80 feet in the 500 feet above the pin and flattens beneath the falls. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,037 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 60 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The dam is on the Menominee River on the west side of Kingsford, near Iron Mountain in Dickinson County. We could not confirm a designated public viewing area.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,033 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.806389° N, -88.120278° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
View the dam only from public roads or areas open to the public, and obey utility signs.
Where to Stay
Pine Mountain Resort
Mountain Host Motor Inn
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
19.9 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
Kingsford and Iron Mountain, the Menominee River Park Archeological District, and Piers Gorge on the Menominee River south of Norway.
Cities near Ford Dam Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
LiDAR
Writing about Ford Dam Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.