Higgins Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ram Pump

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

1. Ram Pump Marker

Inscription. This ram pump supplied the Higgins Lake Nursery with up to 18,000 gallons of water a day. The water was used to irrigate all the seed beds, first by hand and then through a system of piping installed in the 1930s.

The nursery was deliberately built near a water source so that it would always have water for the seedlings, even during a drought. The ram pump was installed downstream from the spring that feeds Higgins Lake. It was moved here after the nursery closed.

A ram pump is a reliable and inexpensive way to move large amounts of water. From the time it was installed in 1911, the pump only needed to be repaired twice. Housed in a small wooden structure, it was replaced in the early 1950s with two 25-horsepower electric pumps.

How did the ram pump work?
Ram pumps use no electricity. Gravity moved pond water down the drive pipe to the ram pump. The pump used hydraulic pressure. to push the water up the delivery pipe to the 105,000-gallon cistern. From there, water flowed down to the nursery.

Erected by Michigan History Center and Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location.

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44° 30.972′ N, 84° 45.509′ W. Marker is in Higgins Lake, Michigan, in Roscommon County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Higgins Lake Drive and Conservation Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: N Higgins Lake Drive, Roscommon MI 48653, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seed Beds (within shouting distance of this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Cone Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Beginning of State Reforestation (within shouting distance of this marker); Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); Packing House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hale Fire Tower (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Higgins Lake.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

2. Ram Pump Marker

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

3. Ram Pump

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

4. Ram Pump

This ramp pump is part of the exhibits at the Higgins Lake Nursery.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.