Boardman River Dams
Boardman River Dams
In the late 1800’s Queen City Light and Power first laid out locations for five dams for hydropower production. Four of the dams are still intact, though none are currently producing hydropower.
Union Street Dam
Location: River mile 1.5
Constructed: 1867
Material: Earthen materials and steel sheet pile
Original Use: Supply power to a now defunct flourmill
Current Use: Maintain water level in the Boardman Lake
Owner: City of Traverse City
Sabin Dam
Location: River mile 5.3
Constructed: 1902
Rebuilt: 1930
Material: Earthen material and concrete
Impoundment: Sabin Pond, drainage area of 269 square miles
Original Use: Hydropower generation
Owner: Grand Traverse County
Boardman Dam
Location: River mile 6.1
Constructed: 1894
Rebuilt: 1930
Material: Earthen material and concrete
Spillway: Boardman Pond (a.k.a. Keystone Pond), drainage area of 267 square miles
Original Use: Hydropower generation
Owner: Grand Traverse County
Brown Bridge Dam
Location: River mile 18.5
Constructed: 1921
Material: Earthen material and concrete
Impoundment: Brown Bridge Pond, drainage area of 151 square miles
Original Use: Hydropower generation
Owner: City of Traverse City
Top right photo courtesy of Traverse Area Historical Society
