Trowbridge Dam
Trowbridge Dam is a gravity dam located in Allegan County, Michigan, built in 1899. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Trowbridge Dam
The primary purpose of Trowbridge Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mdnr Wildlife (state). It impounds the Kalamazoo River near Allegan.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 59 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 660 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,522 square miles. Completed in 1899, 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 08/18/2023.
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 | Allegan |
| Nearest City | Allegan |
| River/Stream | Kalamazoo River |
| Coordinates | 42.48290, -85.79660 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1899 (127 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 660 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 660 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 590 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 59 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,522 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MDNR Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/18/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00604 |
| Federal ID | MI00604 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |