We went to visit these beautiful falls while walking along the trail to view them.
Viewing these falls from the back is a must!
Victoria Dam Falls is a powerful man-made spillway waterfall on the West Branch of the Ontonagon River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, built directly over the site of the historic Glenn Falls.
History and Glenn Falls
Glenn Falls was the original natural waterfall on this section of the river.
- Early in the 1900s, the area was developed for industrial power.
- Mine superintendent Thomas Hooper chose this location for a hydroelectric and hydraulic compressor project to serve the nearby Victoria Mine.
- Construction on the dam started in 1902 and finished in 1906, submerging the original Glenn Falls beneath the new infrastructure.
Victoria Dam Falls Today
The modern site features a massive concrete spillway.
- During high water or the spring thaw, the spillway creates a thunderous, impressive cascade into the gorge below.
- Heavy mist and spray can make photography difficult near the viewing points.
- Several smaller seasonal waterfalls appear downstream during peak flow periods in the spring.
Visiting the Site
- The dam is managed by Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO).
- Visitors can hike down the access road maintained by UPPCO to view the falls from across the gorge, as direct driving access to the base is restricted.
- The location sits near the historic Old Victoria village and the Trap Hills area in Ontonagon County.
Views of the Falls
It is highly recommended to view these falls from the backside for the greatest view, as you can see from these pictures!
Here are some images of the trail itself that leads to Glenn Falls. They incorporated stones as part of the trail along the fenceway, and you can view some beautiful tree roots along the way. Please do not walk in these areas so that the trees can develop normally.
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