Sabin Dam
Sabin Dam was a hydroelectric dam on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It was owned by the county as a recreational site, but it was formerly owned and used by Traverse City Light & Power.[1] The dam was located about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) upstream from the mouth of the Boardman River at Grand Traverse Bay.
| Sabin Dam | |
|---|---|
| Location | Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 44.7080°N 85.6230°W |
| Purpose | Hydropower generation (formerly) |
| Construction began | 1902 |
| Demolition date | 2018 |
| Owner(s) | Grand Traverse County |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Hydropower |
| Impounds | Boardman River |
| Spillways | 2 |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Sabin Pond |
| Power Station | |
| Decommission date | 2005 |
History
In 1902, Sabin Dam was the third dam built on the Boardman River. Sabin was rebuilt in 1930 with the nearby Boardman Dam, of which the Sabin is a copy. These dams ran fluently, producing hydroelectricity on the Boardman for nearby towns like Traverse City and Chums Corner. In 2005, the other dams on the river were decommissioned. In 2013 and 2017, Brown Bridge and Boardman Dams were removed, respectively. With each of these removals, a surge of water flowed into Sabin Pond and through the dam. It was proposed that in 2018, Sabin Dam would be removed, letting the Boardman River flow in its original channel. The proposal was followed through and in 2018 the Sabin Dam was removed.[2]
Recreation and nature
The dam pond used to have little to no recreation uses on the water, but there are a series of trails along the western side of the used to be pond. The Boardman River Nature Center is also just to the west of where the dam used to be.[3]
References
- "Boardman River Dams". theboardman.org. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- "Boardman River Dams". theboardman.org. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
- "Boardman River Nature Center – Traverse City, MI". Grand Traverse Conservation District. Retrieved November 20, 2017.