Byron Dam

Shiawassee River· Shiawassee, Michigan· Built 1847· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Byron Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1847 and is 179 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 50.6% in MI)
Dam Length185 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage600 acre-ft
Normal Storage500 acre-ft
Surface Area104 acres
Drainage Area191 sq mi
Max Discharge1,287 cfs
Year Completed1847 (179 years old)
NID IDMI00378

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: October 27, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Village of Byron

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Byron Dam?

Byron 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 Byron Dam?

Byron Dam is owned by Village of Byron (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Byron Dam built?

Byron Dam was completed in 1847, making it 179 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 Byron Dam?

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

How tall is Byron Dam?

Byron Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Byron Dam last inspected?

Byron Dam was last inspected on October 27, 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.