Bryant Mill Dam
Bryant Mill Dam is an earth dam located in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, built in 1946. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bryant Mill Dam
The primary purpose of Bryant Mill Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lyondell Environmental (private). It impounds the Portage Creek near Kalamazoo.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 480 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 1946, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 08/03/2015. That was 10 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
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 | Kalamazoo |
| Nearest City | Kalamazoo |
| River/Stream | Portage Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.27000, -85.57833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 480 ft |
| Year Completed | 1946 (80 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 27 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 797 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lyondell Environmental |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2015 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00135 |
| Federal ID | MI00135 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |