Sturgis
Sturgis is a buttress dam located in St. Joseph County, Michigan, built in 1913. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Sturgis
The primary purpose of Sturgis is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Sturgis, City Of (local government). It impounds the St Joseph River near Three Rivers.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 580 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 950 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/28/2025.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Michigan dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | St. Joseph |
| Nearest City | Three Rivers |
| River/Stream | St Joseph River |
| Coordinates | 41.97070, -85.53830 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 580 acres |
| Drainage Area | 950 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,650 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Sturgis, City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/28/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00534 |
| Federal ID | MI00534 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |