Fowle Mill Dam

South Branch Kalamazoo River· Hillsdale, Michigan· Built 1852· Earth· 9 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Fowle Mill Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1852 and is 174 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 14.1% in MI)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge8 cfs
Year Completed1852 (174 years old)
NID IDMI00767

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: January 1, 1901
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Verl Truitt

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fowle Mill Dam?

Fowle 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 Fowle Mill Dam?

Fowle Mill Dam is owned by Verl Truitt (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fowle Mill Dam built?

Fowle Mill Dam was completed in 1852, making it 174 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 Fowle Mill Dam?

Fowle Mill Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fowle Mill Dam?

Fowle Mill Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Fowle Mill Dam last inspected?

Fowle Mill Dam was last inspected on January 1, 1901. 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.