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Argo Dam
From ArborWiki
The Argo Dam sits in the Huron River at the upriver end of Ann Arbor, creating the 92-acre Argo Pond behind it. Argo Park is on the east end of the 200-foot-long, 18-foot-high dam; north Main Street on the west.
The Michigan DNR and Huron River Watershed Council favor removal of the dam. However, many recreational users and neighbors object to the potential loss of the pond.
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[edit] Future of Argo Dam
The future of Argo Dam is in question: should it and the small recreational lake it creates stand, or should the dam be torn down to promote free-flowing rivers?
The dam is in need of $300,000 worth of repairs as of June 2009.
Arguments against the destruction of the dam include the fact that an entire community of over 600 rowers would be forced to commute to Belleville. Both Huron and Pioneer high schools practice their Co-Ed crew teams on the river, and the commute would be virtually impossible. The University of Michigan men's team, ranked 6th in the nation, and Ann Arbor Rowing Club also practice on the river. All four teams have nationally recognized programs, which constantly send young and old athletes alike to compete at world ranked events, including the Olympics and junior Olympics.
Removing the dam would allow fish to swim freely between Barton and Geddes dam. The water level would drop, giving the city an additional 25 acres of parkland.
Argo canoe livery supports a large canoe community, but canoeing wouldn't necessarily disappear with the dam.
[edit] History of Argo Dam
The first dam on the site was built in 1830 to power flour and woolen mills. In 1905 the Argo Mill burned down and electric generating equipment was installed. The Edison Illuminating Company of Michigan, now Detroit Edison, purchased that dam and flowage rights and reconstructed the dam and millrace in 1914. The dam was sold to the City of Ann Arbor in 1963 after power generation decommissioning in 1959. The City reconstructed the dam in 1972, along with Barton, Geddes and Superior dams due to damage caused by the June 1968 flood with $3.5 million in bonds approved by voters in 1970.
[edit] Sources:
- ArborUpdate: "Remove Argo Dam?", http://arborupdate.com/article/1119/remove-argo-dam
- Riggs, Elizabeth H.W., "Case Studies in River Restoration Through Dam Removal", Huron River Watershed Council, June 2003.
- Decision day is coming for dams on the Huron. Gantert, Tom. Ann Arbor News 10 July 2008
[edit] News references
- Argo Dam stories on AnnArbor.com
- Argo Dam stories in the Ann Arbor Chronicle
