When does a dam become functionally obsolete? Can it be useful forever?

 CLICK HERE to see the right questions a town should ask itself


 By 2020,   over 90 % of all dams in Michigan will be 50 years old or older.

The Pucker Street Dam was built 1928, making it 83 years old this year.

The average age of a dam's productive and useful life span when built to the highest standards of engineering range, is 50 years.
(Source: American Society of Civil Engineers, Michigan Section / NOAA et al.)

After this point, repairs and sediment operations cause the cost to outweigh the benefit in most cases.

Some Key Facts:

First,--- the Pucker Street dam has sustained 2 significant breach events, (see articles/photos in earlier posts) the most recent in Sept. of 2008.
Second,---the turbines have been rendered inoperable, as water has attacked the building foundation and resulted in a tilting/tipping.
Third, ---an accumulation of silt has resulted at the upstream foot of the dam; due to the inability of the turbines to pass it though. Did you know? That the dowagiac produces 5 times the amount of silt vs. other watersheds in the area?  Movement of silt is critical to the health of the river, its average temperature, its dissolved oxygen levels, and its PH.

As you can see, there are more reasons ---many more reasons--to restore a river besides the whims of kayakers and fisherman. Even professionally trained engineers have released a report on the subject. NOTE: after this printing, fund sources have been restored to dam removal; since the projects to help Louisiana infrastructure are done in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

 Click HERE to read MICHIGAN's Report Card Grade of "D" on the State of its Dams

Please read and share this information with anyone who is interested in learning more.



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