Five Channels Dam, Historic hydroelectric dam in Iosco County, Michigan, United States
Five Channels Dam is a hydroelectric dam crossing the Au Sable River with spillway gates and a large reservoir behind it. The structure holds back water that creates opportunities for recreation and power generation.
The dam was built between 1911 and 1912 as part of a larger chain of six hydroelectric plants along the lower Au Sable River. Construction required a temporary workers settlement that supported the project during those years.
The dam structure represents early 20th-century engineering methods as the second of six hydroelectric plants built along the lower Au Sable River system.
The reservoir offers fishing access for multiple fish species at different spots along the banks and water edges. A portage slide system allows canoeists and kayakers to safely navigate around the dam.
The site preserves a portage slide system that allows watercraft to safely bypass the dam and continue downstream. This system shows how early engineers accommodated canoe travel while generating power.
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