Near Milford in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
That Dammed River
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 13, 2020
1. That Dammed River Marker
Huron River: Why dam it?
Dams serve a variety of purposes. The Kent Lake Dam was built in 1947, but why? The answer comes from the "when". On the Huron River, from 1910 to 1940, power generation was the goal. From 1944 to 1970, most dams were constructed for recreational and waterfront housing development. Dams built since 1970 are mainly meant to create water retention ponds in urban areas.
The Huron River has been dammed many times. One hundred and one dams of all sizes change its flow from Oakland County's Big Lake down to Lake Erie. You can see the result of one damming right in front of you. Wildwing Lake doubled in size when the Kent Lake Dam (south of I-96, inside Island Lake State Recreation Area) was built in 1947. Originally this spring-fed lake only consisted of the portion closest to you. Once the flow of the Huron was blocked by the dame, the water level rose and spread out across the river valley, swelling Kent Lake and connecting the river to Wildwind for the first time.
Erected by Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 42° 31.498′ N, 83°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bubbling Waters (approx. 0.6 miles away); What Happened Here? (approx. 0.6 miles away); Kinsley S. Bingham (approx. 1.9 miles away); Warner Homestead (approx. 2.3 miles away); Brighton District No. 8 School (approx. 2.6 miles away); Spanish-American War Regiments (approx. 3.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Priscilla Calkins Prior House (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milford.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 13, 2020
2. That Dammed River Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
