Due primarily to economic and liability reasons, Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) is in the process of surrendering their license to operate three dams, Brown Bridge Dam, Boardman and Sabin dams on the Boardman River.

When Queen City Light & Power laid out the locations of the dams in the late 1800’s, they strategically looked at areas of greatest gradient (fastest water) to place the dams to produce the most electricity (highest head). Hence, five dams were constructed on the Boardman’s main stem including: Union Street Dam (1867); Boardman Dam (1894); Sabin Dam (1906); Keystone Dam (1908); Brown Bridge Dam (1921). Of these five dams, three continue to produce power today but only make up 3.4% of the electricity needs for TCL&P.

Since taking over in the mid 1980’s, TCL&P has lost nearly $5 million on Dam operations. Only Brown Bridge Dam makes money – an average of $32,000 per year.

In September of 1961, Keystone Dam washed out, nearly taking out Boardman and Sabin dams. Over the years, several other smaller dams on tributaries to the Boardman have also failed including Capt. Boardman’s mill dam on Kid’s Creek and a mill dam in Mayfield on Swainston’s Creek.

Largely due to an increased number of dam failures nationwide, like the Dead River Dam failure in Marquette last year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is mandating TCL&P construct an overflow spillway at Brown Bridge Dam at an estimated cost of $2 million. Boardman Dam is leaking and needs repair, estimated to cost $500,000. Furthermore, Boardman Dam is not capable of withstanding a probable maximum flood event so FERC, therefore, will likely require an overflow spillway at this dam as well.

To that end, TCL&P has started the process to relinquish their FERC license and cease hydroelectric production at these dams. Responsibility for the dams will then revert back to their owners. The City of Traverse City owns Brown Bridge Dam, and Grand Traverse County owns Boardman and Sabin dams.

The next step in determining the fate of the dams is to complete an Engineering/Feasibility Study. An Ad Hoc committee will help oversee this process for the City and the County. If you are interested in serving on this committee, or would like more information, please contact the District’s Boardman River Project Director, Steve Largent at (231) 883-9960.