Big Iron Dam Falls
A tiny and historic cement dam holds back the artificially enlarged Lake Independence outside of Big Bay. Originally meant to increase the size of the lake for lumber coming down off the Yellow Dog Plains and Peshekee, the cement dam is only a few feet tall and is easily accessible. Technically this portion of the Yellow Dog is called Big Iron River, even though it is less than a mile in length for this new name.
Directions
Stay on County Road 550 through the town of Big Bay past the church and Thunder Bay Inn until the road curves left into Balke Avenue on the north side of town. Take the first right after the curve (Schenk/Dam/KCB Road) and stick to the paved road past the turn to Bay Cliff. Stay on Dam Road for 2.5 miles and take the right fork for another .7 miles. A small turnaround right after the road becomes dirt sits within sight of the dam and Lake. Park here and walk over to the dam.
Photographs
Visits
Seen in July.
Lake Independence poured over a few breaks in the craggy cement dam to create some mediocre splashes of whitewater onto dark rocks. It was old, that was clear, and there were pilings from old docks stretching out into the lake. There was never a real waterfall here, though.
Comments
1 comment
This majestic waterfall was easily the highlight of our nationwide waterfall tour. Never in my life, or sixty two years of passionate waterfall exploration, have I found myself in such a state of awe. If you have time and are in the area, there's nothing more worth your time and admiration.
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