TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Boardman River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Boardman River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Boardman River is a 40-mile-long river in Michigan, which flows into Lake Michigan. It was historically an important resource for the Ojibwe people who lived in the area. Today, the river is a popular destination for recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The river's hydrology has been impacted by several dams and reservoirs, including the Brown Bridge Dam, which was recently removed to improve fish habitat. The Boardman River is also used for agricultural irrigation in some areas. Despite these uses, efforts are being made to improve water quality and restore natural ecosystems along the river.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield
USGS 04126970 |
93 cfs | 3.17 ft | -2.72 |
History of the River
The Boardman River is a 28.2-mile-long (45.4 km) river that flows into the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The Boardman's upper tributaries rise near Kalkaska, Michigan, and its watershed drains an area of 295 square miles (760 km2) through 130 miles (210 km) of river and tributaries. The Boardman River is considered one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan. Before entering the Grand Traverse Bay, it becomes Boardman Lake, a natural lake that was originally 259 acres (1.05 km2) in size and increased to 339 acres (137 ha) after the Union Street Dam was constructed in 1867. After flowing through Boardman Lake, the river descends through downtown Traverse City, following a hairpin-shaped course to Grand Traverse Bay. This Traverse City section of the Boardman River is accessible by motorboat from the lakeshore up to a weir upstream from the lakeshore. A short distance upstream from the weir is the Union Street Dam, a small decommissioned mill dam located between Cass and Union streets.