HistoryLong before Capt. Harry Boardman first visited the region, the river that flowed crystal clear into Grand Traverse Bay was known by Native Americans as the "Ottaway." The river carried a much larger water volume than it does today. But the need for white pine and other timber that a young nation required for building ships, bridges and cities eventually changed the watershed forever.
In the mid-1860s, the Boardman River was used to transport timber to sawmills downstream. The Boardman first had to be cleared of debris to allow easy passage for millions of logs that gouged its banks with their colossal impact. This not only changed the path of the river, but helped send plant and fish species into extinction.
Though the watershed may never return to its virgin qualities of 200 years ago, significant improvements have been made since the logging era. Threats remain, however, that must continue to be addressed.
last updated: 03/11/2003