Upjohn Dam

Castle Creek· Kalamazoo, Michigan· Built 1845· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Upjohn Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1845 and is 181 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 Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage70 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge190 cfs
Year Completed1845 (181 years old)
NID IDMI00564

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

Upjohn Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upjohn Dam?

Upjohn 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 Upjohn Dam?

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

When was Upjohn Dam built?

Upjohn Dam was completed in 1845, making it 181 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 Upjohn Dam?

Upjohn 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 Upjohn Dam?

Upjohn 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 Upjohn Dam last inspected?

Upjohn 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.