On May 14, an earthen dike on the Dead River near Marquette, Michigan collapsed, sending an 8-billion gallon torrent of water downstream and ultimately forcing another dam breach the following day. Over 1,700 people were evacuated from their homes.
The 90-year old dam, which held back Silver Lake, was restraining the pressure of heavy rains at the time of collapse, but according to reports, the water level was nowhere near anticipated critical levels. Investigations are still underway.
Silver Lake supplies flow for two downstream hydroelectric dams as a part of Wisconsin Electric Power Co.' s Dead River Project (P-10855).
The damage from the dam breach is estimated at $102 million, with the largest price tag on a destroyed coal-fired power plant.
Read the news reports:
http://www.enn.com/news/2003-05-16/s_4480.asp
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/jun03/146696.asp
Watch a slide show:
(Click on " Flooding" in the green box on the right side of the screen.)