Peninsular Paper Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peninsular Paper Dam |
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The Peninsular Paper Dam (May 2010)
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 Location within the state Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| Location | 1249 Leforge Road Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 42°15′22″N 83°37′27″W / 42.25610°N 83.62410°W |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| Opening date | 1914 |
| Demolition date | Pending |
| Owner(s) | City of Ypsilanti |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Huron River |
The Peninsular Paper Dam is a large structure that used to help make electricity. It's a type of dam called a gravity dam, which means it uses its own weight to hold back water. This dam crosses the Huron River in Ypsilanti, a city in Michigan.
The dam was built in 1914. It created a pond that is about 177 acres big. For many years, the dam helped power a paper mill. Today, the dam is no longer used for its original purpose. It is considered "decommissioned," meaning it's been taken out of service.
The Peninsular Paper Dam is located between two other dams on the Huron River. It is about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) downstream from the Superior Dam. It is also about 10.4 kilometers (6.5 miles) upstream from the Ford Lake Dam. The dam is about 68.2 kilometers (42.4 miles) from where the Huron River flows into Lake Erie.
In 2019, the city of Ypsilanti decided to remove the dam. This decision was made because the dam is old and needs expensive repairs. Removing it will be a big project for the city.
History: The Dam's Story
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The very first dam at this spot was built around 1867. It was built by the Peninsular Paper Company. At that time, a large paper factory was also built next to the river. A smaller paper factory was built across the river in 1876.
In 1898, the smaller paper factory was badly damaged by a fire. It was then closed, and its working machines were moved to the larger factory. The original dam was replaced with the current dam in 1914.
A few years later, in 1918, heavy rain caused part of the dam to break. This caused damage to some bridges further down the river. However, the dam was fully repaired within two years. The larger paper factory continued to operate until 1970.
In 1986, the city of Ypsilanti bought the land where the dam and factories were. The city hoped to fix up the buildings or use them for something new. But these plans did not happen.
In 2004, the large paper factory on the south side of the river was taken down. New apartment buildings, called Peninsular Place Apartments, were built there. The only part of the old factory that remains is its tall chimney. This chimney now stands in the apartment complex's courtyard.
Current Status: What's Happening Now?
Today, the empty outside of the smaller paper factory still stands. You can also still see its old sign. The area around the dam has been turned into Peninsular Park. This park is a popular place for people to have picnics and fish from the riverbanks. The dam is also very close to Eastern Michigan University.
In 2018, the city of Ypsilanti and a group called the Huron River Watershed Council studied the dam. They wanted to see if it was possible to remove the dam and other old structures. Their study found that removing the dam was possible.
The dam is considered to have a "high hazard potential." This means that if the dam were to break, it could cause a lot of damage. Even though the dam's structure is still fair, it is old and needs ongoing repairs. It no longer serves a purpose for making money.
The study also suggested that the old powerhouse building and its sign could be kept. This building is not dangerous and is a well-known feature in the area.
In May 2019, the Ypsilanti city council voted to start the process of taking down the dam. They approved $500,000 to begin the work. The total cost to remove the dam is estimated to be between $2.7 million and $4.3 million. The city has not yet set a timeline for when the dam will be removed. However, the parkland around it might be improved in the future.
