A Dam Shame: Should the Collapsed Elsie Dam Be Repaired?

The village of Elsie, Michigan, might never be the same again.

A fixture on the Maple River near Elsie for generations, a portion of the Elsie Dam has collapsed, and local residents are split in regards to what should happen next.

The dam isn't technically in Elsie, but in neighboring Duplain Township.

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History of the Elsie Dam

The Elsie Dam has been around in some fashion or form since the end of the Civil War.

It was originally built out of timber in the mid-1860s to help power operations at a grist/flour mill on the banks of the Maple River. The earth-and-concrete version of the Elsie Dam has been in place since before the start of World War I.

It's been more than 50 years since the mill was in operation, and the dam has served as a popular fishing destination for recent generations.

It's been listed among the National Register of Historic Places since 2015.

What Happened to the Elsie Dam?

A portion of the Elsie Dam collapsed in mid-August 2023. The collapse did not cause any immediate flooding concerns, but the damage did create a public safety issue. Authorities have placed signage and barricades warning the public to stay away, but curiosity seems to have gotten the better of several.

Will the Elsie Dam Be Fixed or Removed?

The Elsie Dam wasn't built to protect an area from flooding, as many dams are. It was constructed to control the flow of the Maple River so that it could help power the old mill. Because the mill's been gone since the late-1960s, some residents say its time has passed.

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"I wish they'd just take it out, because then the fish could get up to my house," stated Jim M., a local fisherman, with a smile.

Resident Kris B. would like to see the dam repaired.

"It’s too bad it couldn’t have been fixed years ago when they talked about dredging it above the dam and doing the proper repairs. But that wasn’t on the state’s priority list," Kris posted on social media.

Duplain Township Supervisor Bruce Levey says if the township is approved for special grants, the dam could be removed and the Maple River's flow through the area would be allowed to return to its original path.

The current concern is that someone will climb onto the dam and inadvertently cause more damage - possibly causing the whole thing to give way and injuring themselves in the process.

State agencies are studying the situation and are expected to present options to local lawmakers soon.