Debate Deepens Over Saline’s Dam and the Fate of Mill Pond

A quiet stretch of water at the heart of the city has become the center of a growing divide: preserve a historic dam and the beloved Mill Pond, or remove it and transform the area into a flowing river bordered by new parkland.

For members of the Friends of Saline’s Mill Pond, that choice feels far from balanced.

They argue their concerns about history, property, recreation, and cost have not been fully heard as the city weighs the future of the aging structure.

Decision Years in the Making

The debate centers on the deteriorating Saline Dam, which the city must either repair or remove after years of identified structural deficiencies. State regulators have pushed for action, and engineering studies, including one by consulting firm Spicer Group, have outlined options ranging from rehabilitation to full removal.

City officials say removal could eliminate long-term maintenance costs and restore a more natural river system, potentially opening up acres of new park space. But residents and stakeholders remain divided, especially as funding uncertainties and timelines remain unclear.

Rooted in History

The Mill Pond and dam system trace back nearly two centuries. The site began as a grist mill in 1835 and later became part of Henry Ford’s industrial network, powering soybean processing and wartime manufacturing.

That legacy still stands today, particularly at Wellers Inc., a historic event venue tied directly to the dam’s water system and listed as part of the Schuyler Mills site on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We Didn’t Even Know”

For supporters of keeping the dam, one of the strongest frustrations is how the process has unfolded.

Many say they were unaware of the proposal until recently, despite public meetings and a city-hosted town hall.

“I didn’t even know this was going on,” said Wendy Weller, owner of Wellers Inc. “I was doing a tour here every Saturday, and someone came in and said, ‘Do you know about the dam being removed?’ And I said, ‘What?’ I just didn’t even know. Then I saw the Spicer study, and the very first thing they had was they would close the inlet — no mention of Wellers, no mention of what would happen to our water. That was a big red flag for me.”

Weller and others say that while the city has posted information online, many residents remain unaware of the full implications.

“When we went around with the petition, people didn’t know about it,” Weller said. “They said, ‘What do you mean they’re going to take the dam out? Why?’ It was shocking how many people had no idea.”

The group circulated the petition to inform residents who were largely unaware of the dam removal option and to push for a ballot vote, giving the community a direct say in whether to keep or remove the dam.

Historic Preservation and Water Rights

Weller’s concerns go beyond awareness. They strike at the core of the site’s historical and functional identity.

“Well, my concern is, first of all, the historic. There are 13 acres on the National Register, and the dam, the mill inlet, the tail race going underneath Wellers is all part of it,” she said. “And my concern is that they’ve just sort of blown that off, like it doesn’t mean anything.”

Weller also questions what happens to her property’s water rights if the dam is removed. She explained they use the water for maintenance and irrigation on their 13-acre property.

“As far as I know, the water that goes to your property, you have the water rights,” Weller said. “If they close the inlet, we lose our water rights. We have no water.”

The idea of a city-installed pump came up in discussions as a possible workaround, but according to the group, it was more of a conceptual suggestion than a concrete plan.

Erik Grossman described it this way: “They talked about pumping water after it flows through from Curtis Park and then bringing it over here. So, then you’d have a pump running constantly, and [it would] be very expensive to put in and very expensive to run constantly. They just threw that out there… they don’t really have a plan for that, but they did throw some ideas out.”

Property Values, Quality of Life

Residents living along the Mill Pond say the stakes are just as personal.

“We’ve lived on the pond for almost 42 years,” explained Gordon Peters. “We purchased it and paid a premium for it because it had the pond… It makes our home what it is.”

Peters fears that removing the pond will directly impact property values.

“I don’t know of any waterfront property, even if it is a stream, that costs the same as property without waterfront,” he said. “We worry about that.”

Others in the group raised concerns about increased trespassing, liability, and changes to the landscape if the water recedes.

A “Jewel” at Risk

For many in the group, the issue is also about what makes Saline unique.

“Mill Pond is one of the jewels Saline has,” said resident Kawai Takayuki. “It is really attractive, and it makes the city quite attractive. And if the dam is gone, the pond disappears… the city will lose this beautiful jewel.”

The group points to recreational uses, including kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, as key community benefits that would be diminished or lost.

“The recreational value will be gone,” said Denise Goss. “You can’t kayak. It’s going to be a little stream.”

Questions About Cost and Data

Some also challenge the financial projections and analysis presented by the city’s consultants.

Former city employee Erik Grossman said he wants a deeper look at the numbers.

“They’re saying removing the dam is only going to cost five or six million,” he said. “But they’re not adding the rebuilding of a decimated Mill Pond Park… between the two, that’s over $10 million.”

He also questioned whether all options have been fully explored.

“Most studies look at three options — remove it, repair it, or find something in between,” Grossman said. “The city didn’t do the in-between study, and often that’s where solutions are found.”

Others cited examples from other communities where dam removal costs increased significantly due to unforeseen issues like sediment contamination.

A Call to be Heard

At its core, the group’s message is not just about the dam. It’s about inclusion in the decision-making process.

“We need to get out what’s really going to happen,” Weller said. “People need to understand that when the dam and the Mill Pond are gone, there’s not going to be this flowing river like they think.”

Some residents are pushing for a public vote, though questions remain about timing, funding, and how such a vote would be structured.

As the city continues to evaluate its options, the debate highlights a broader tension of how to balance historic preservation, environmental restoration, and community identity.

For now, the future of Saline’s Mill Pond, and the dam that created it, remains uncertain.

Feature photo: The Friends of Saline’s Mill Pond include (L-R) Erik Grossman, Jim Peters, Denise Goss, Wendy Weller, Gordon Peters, Karen Peters, Kawai Takayuki. Photo by Sue Kelch