Brush Creek Mill’s 22 foot stainless water wheel was an integral part of the original concept of the building . The wheel was built by Moran Iron Works of Onaway, Michigan. The wheel is powered exclusively by water from Brush Creek and can produce enough energy to turn the grinding stones or other machinery.

In order to power the wheel, the water was diverted to flow first through the wheel’s trough(see left) before emptying into the river. The flow continually varies and effects the speed at which the wheel turns.

Brush Creek is located on the north side of Pleasant Valley Road. The creek naturally flows into the Thunder Bay River. The water flow can be regulated by damming the diversion source. This is normally done during the winter months, or from mid-November through mid-April, otherwise the wheel would collect ice and the off balance would damage the wheel, the shaft, and even the building.