Bryant Mill Dam dam
Bryant Mill Dam
Bryant Mill Dam, also known as Alcott Street Dam, is a private dam located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, along Portage Creek. Built in 1946, this earth dam stands at a height of 16.75 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 797 cubic feet per second, the dam offers opportunities for water-based activities in the area.
Managed by the Michigan DEGLE, Bryant Mill Dam has a high hazard potential and is inspected every three years, with the last assessment conducted in August 2015. Despite its high risk level, the dam's condition was deemed satisfactory during the last inspection. However, due to its high hazard potential, there is a need for emergency action preparedness to ensure public safety in case of any unforeseen events. The risk assessment for Bryant Mill Dam indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Bryant Mill Dam can appreciate the engineering behind this structure, as well as the recreational opportunities it provides along Portage Creek. With its controlled spillway and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam serves as a valuable asset for the community while also highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management to ensure its safety and longevity.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bryant Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 51 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek At Kalamazoo | 12 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River At Comstock | 1,010 cfs | → |
| West Fork Portage Creek Near Oshtemo | 8 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 39 cfs | → |
| Kalamazoo River Near Battle Creek | 675 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bryant Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Lillian Court 216, Charter Township Of Comstock
- Plaza Avenue Charter Township Of Comstock
- Charter Township Of Comstock
- East Michigan Avenue 188, Galesburg
- Charleston Township
- East M N Avenue Charleston Township
Track Bryant Mill Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bryant Mill Dam
Where does the data for Bryant Mill Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bryant Mill Dam.