After years of debate on the fate of former hydroelectric dams on the Boardman river in Michigan, it has been decided that three of the four existing dams will be removed.

The Boardman River Dams Committee is seeking public input regarding the fate of Brown Bridge, Boardman, Sabin and Union Street dams on the in Grand Traverse county Michigan.

The University of Wisconsin will hold a short course on Succeeding With a Dam Removal Project on November 5-7 in East Lansing, Michigan. Follow the "read more" link below for details.

A condition of a 1992 settlement required Consumers Energy to study retirement of its eleven hydropower dams and publicly report on its findings.

FERC issued a license amendment which increased the authorized capacity of the Sturgeon Falls project to 6.4 MW. The licensee requested the amendment after rehabilitating several turbines that were damaged in December, 2005.

On May 14, an earthen dike on the Dead River near Marquette, Michigan collapsed, sending an 8-billion gallon torrent of water downstream and ultimately forcing another dam breach the following day. Over 1,700 people were evacuated from their homes.

The 90-year old dam, which held back Silver Lake, was restraining the pressure of heavy rains at the time of collapse, but according to reports, the water level was nowhere near anticipated critical levels. Investigations are still underway.