Support Boardman River Restoration Projects

The Boardman River Watershed spans 287 square miles and drains approximately 182,800 acres of land through nearly 200 miles of river and stream tributaries. All of this adds up to 30% of the surface water input into Grand Traverse Bay, making it the largest tributary to Grand Traverse Bay’s West Arm.

A state-designated ‘Natural River’ and a Blue Ribbon trout stream, the Boardman River is considered one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan and one of the most outstanding natural features of the Grand Traverse region.

As such, the river and its watershed are enjoyed by anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers alike.

The Grand Traverse Conservation District began caring for the Boardman River in 1991, after a survey of the river revealed over 600 erosion sites along its banks, 85% of which were attributed to human activity.

Since then, the District through the Boardman River Project, and in partnership with numerous local, state, and federal partners, have restored over 300 of these sites, including over 50 transportation/road stream crossings.

Most recently, the Boardman has undergone an incredible transformation from approximately Scheck’s State Campground downstream to West Grand Traverse Bay, with the historic removal of three former hydro dams (Brown Bridge, Boardman, and Sabin), plus the modification of the lower-most dam, Union Street Dam.