Sabin Dam facts for kids

The Sabin Dam was a dam on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It used to make electricity from the river's power. Today, Grand Traverse County owns the area as a fun place for people to visit. The dam is located about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) upstream from where the Boardman River flows into Grand Traverse Bay.

The Story of Sabin Dam

The Sabin Dam was built in 1902. It was the third dam constructed on the Boardman River. In 1930, the Sabin Dam was rebuilt. It was made to look very similar to the nearby Boardman Dam.

These dams worked together to create hydroelectricity. This power helped light up nearby towns like Traverse City and Chums Corner.

Over time, people decided to change how the river flowed. In 2005, other dams on the Boardman River were stopped from making electricity. Later, two other dams, Brown Bridge and Boardman Dams, were removed in 2013 and 2017. When these dams were taken out, a lot of water rushed into Sabin Pond and through the Sabin Dam.

In 2018, the Sabin Dam was also removed. This allowed the Boardman River to flow freely in its natural path once again.

Fun at Sabin Dam

While the pond created by the dam wasn't used much for water activities, there are still fun things to do nearby. You can find a series of trails along the western side of the pond. These trails are great for walking or exploring nature.

The Boardman River Nature Center is also located just west of where the dam used to be. It's a wonderful place to learn about local wildlife and the environment.