Sabin Dam was a

hydroelectric dam Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined an ...

on the

Boardman River The Boardman River ( '), also known as the Ottaway River ( ') or the Boardman–Ottaway River, is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed November 21, 2011 river in the northw ...

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. The dam was located about upstream from the mouth of the Boardman River at

Grand Traverse Bay Grand Traverse Bay is a deep bay of Lake Michigan formed by the Leelanau Peninsula in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The bay is long, wide, and up to deep in spots. It is further divided into two east and west arms by the Ol ...

History

In 1906, Sabin Dam was the third dam built on the Boardman River. Sabin was enlarged and rebuilt in 1914, and again in 1930 along with Boardman Dam. These dams ran fluently, producing

hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined an ...

on the Boardman for nearby towns like

Traverse City Traverse City ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was ...

and Chums Corner. In the 1960’s, both Boardman and Sabin Dams were abandoned, and then in the late 1980’s they were revitalized and refitted with new generation equipment. Sabin had an installed capacity of 500kW with one turbine. The other wheelpit (Sabin originally had 2 turbines before being abandoned) was used only to pass excess water through the powerhouse. In 2005, all of the hydroelectric dams on the river were decommissioned. In 2013 and 2017, Brown Bridge and Boardman Dams were removed, respectively. Sabin was the last to be removed. 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.

Recreation and nature

The dam pond used to have little to no recreation uses on the water, but there are a series of

trails A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. ...

along the western side of the used to be pond. The

Boardman River Nature Center The Boardman River Nature Center is a nature center in Traverse City, Michigan. It is operated by the Grand Traverse Conservation District, a regional parkland authority. The nature center is dedicated to educating residents of Grand Traverse ...

is also just to the west of where the dam used to be.

References

{{Reflist Dams in Michigan Hydroelectric power plants in Michigan Former hydroelectric power plants in the United States Dams completed in 1902 1902 establishments in Michigan Buildings and structures in Grand Traverse County, Michigan Former dams