Union Street Dam dam
Union Street Dam
Union Street Dam, also known as Union Dam (Boardman #1), is a local government-owned structure located in Traverse City, Michigan, along the Boardman River. Completed in 1867, this earth and gravity dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 250 feet in length. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam provides storage of up to 11,200 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 350 acres.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of February 2021, Union Street Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location and design. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to ensure compliance with state regulations. The controlled spillway, which is 74 feet wide, helps manage water flow and reduce the risk of flooding downstream, although the dam's risk assessment remains very high.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Union Street Dam can appreciate its historical significance and recreational value, as well as the ongoing efforts to mitigate potential risks associated with its operation. As a focal point in the Grand Traverse area, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and managing water infrastructure to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities and ecosystems.
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 Union Street 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 | → |
| Platte River At Honor | 165 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Sherman | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Mesick | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 221 cfs | → |
| Manistee River Near Wellston | 2,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Union Street Dam.
Boat launches
- Tacs Dock Traverse City
- Cedar Lake Boat Ramp Greilickville
- Lake Michigan, Traverse City 4 Mile Rd, Grand Traverse County
- Grand Traverse Bay Public Water Access Site Peninsula Township
- Silver Lake Public Boat Launch
- Fishing Site Road 6998, Long Lake Township
Campgrounds
- Traverse City State Park
- Traverse City State Park Campground
- Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
- Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
- Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp - State Forest
- Schecks Place - State Forest
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 Union Street 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 Union Street Dam
Where does the data for Union Street 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 Union Street Dam.