Boardman River Dam Removals

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)–Detroit District and several other partners used Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to reconnect 340 kilometers of the Boardman River to Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. This project involved three dam removals over six years, and improved riverine habitat for important species. These dam removals increased property value for adjacent landowners and created new recreational opportunities on and alongside the river. The benefits to trout species increase the opportunity for fly-fishing in the newly restored river. The restored connectivity of the river benefits fish, invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, mammal and bird species.