Bowen Mill Dam

Gun River· Barry, Michigan· Built 1924· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Other Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Bowen Mill Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 55.7% in MI)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage600 acre-ft
Normal Storage550 acre-ft
Surface Area187 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge40 cfs
Year Completed1924 (102 years old)
NID IDMI00092

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: December 7, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Owen and Carleen Sabin

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bowen Mill Dam?

Bowen Mill Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bowen Mill Dam?

Bowen Mill Dam is owned by Owen and Carleen Sabin (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bowen Mill Dam built?

Bowen Mill Dam was completed in 1924, making it 102 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bowen Mill Dam?

Bowen Mill Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Other, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bowen Mill Dam?

Bowen Mill Dam has a dam height of 16 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bowen Mill Dam last inspected?

Bowen Mill Dam was last inspected on December 7, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.