Perrin Dam No 2

About Perrin Dam No 2

The primary purpose of Perrin Dam No 2 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 Marshall, City Of (local government). It impounds the Kalamazoo River near Marshall.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 90 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 130 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,775 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 352 square miles. Completed in 1893, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/20/2022.

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.

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