Flash Flood — Grand Traverse, Michigan

2012-10-06 · near Grawn, Grand Traverse, Michigan

Event narrative

A temporary dam and de-watering structure was in place alongside the Brown Bridge Dam on the Boardman River. This temporary dam was to assist in drawing down the small lake (Brown Bridge Pond) behind the dam, prior to the permanent removal of Brown Bridge Dam. This temporary dam failed on the morning of the 6th, and by late afternoon, most of the remaining water in Brown Bridge Pond had been released downstream. Within an hour, road closings occurred along Garfield and River Roads, and homes were evacuated along the river between Garfield and Keystone Roads. Eventually, 53 homes were impacted, with varying degrees of damage. Docks, small footbridges, and a number of smaller outbuildings were destroyed. Environmental damage, related to sediment deposition and fish kills, was possible but still being evaluated.

Wider weather episode

Flash flooding occurred along the Boardman River, downstream of the Brown Bridge Dam.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.6558, -85.6309)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 418248. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.