Riley Dam
Riley Dam is a gravity dam located in Branch County, Michigan, built in 1923. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Riley Dam
The primary purpose of Riley Dam 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 Village Of Union City (local government). It impounds the Saint Joseph River near Sherwood.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 824 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 518 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 523 square miles. Completed in 1923, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 07/28/2020.
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Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Branch |
| Nearest City | Sherwood |
| River/Stream | Saint Joseph River |
| Coordinates | 42.04425, -85.20299 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 824 ft |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,240 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 518 acres |
| Drainage Area | 523 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 10,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Village of Union City |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/28/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00533 |
| Federal ID | MI00533 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |