Smyrna Milling Company Dam

Seely Creek· Ionia, Michigan· Built 1908· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Smyrna Milling Company Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 81.6% in MI)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area32 sq mi
Max Discharge1,500 cfs
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDMI00100

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 29, 1994
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

Lorraine Maclaren

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Smyrna Milling Company Dam?

Smyrna Milling Company 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 Smyrna Milling Company Dam?

Smyrna Milling Company Dam is owned by Lorraine Maclaren (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Smyrna Milling Company Dam built?

Smyrna Milling Company Dam was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 Smyrna Milling Company Dam?

Smyrna Milling Company 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 Smyrna Milling Company Dam?

Smyrna Milling Company Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Smyrna Milling Company Dam last inspected?

Smyrna Milling Company Dam was last inspected on December 29, 1994. 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.