Boardman Dam dam
Boardman Dam
Boardman Dam, also known as Boardman #3, is a crucial structure located in Traverse City, Michigan, along the Boardman River. Built in 1884 for recreational purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 56 feet and spans 650 feet in length, with a maximum discharge capacity of 5600 cubic feet per second. Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the dam is currently rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
Managed by the local government, Boardman Dam is regulated and permitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE). The dam's primary purpose of recreation is supported by its storage capacity of 1260 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 780 acre-feet. However, with a very high risk assessment rating and no emergency action plan in place, there are concerns about the dam's ability to withstand potential hazards and emergencies.
In light of its aging infrastructure and high-risk profile, Boardman Dam serves as a critical focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts continue to assess and mitigate the dam's risks, it underscores the importance of proactive stewardship and investment in sustainable water management practices for the benefit of the surrounding community and ecosystem.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Boardman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 245 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 165 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,430 cfs | → |
| Pine River At High School Bridge Nr Hoxeyville | 317 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boardman Dam.
Boat launches
- Silver Lake Public Boat Launch
- Tacs Dock Traverse City
- Fishing Site Road 6998, Long Lake Township
- Lake Michigan, Traverse City 4 Mile Rd, Grand Traverse County
- Cedar Lake Boat Ramp Greilickville
- Grand Traverse Bay Public Water Access Site Peninsula Township
Campgrounds
- Traverse City State Park
- Traverse City State Park Campground
- Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
- Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
- Schecks Place - State Forest
- Scheck's Place State Forest Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Southeastern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Northwetern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Southern Boundary Of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore To Mouth At Lake Michigan
- Kings Road Bridge (2 Miles West Of Town Of Luther In T19n, R12w To Slackwater Of The State Fish Weir In T21n, R16w
Track Boardman Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Boardman Dam
Where does the data for Boardman Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Boardman Dam.