Wagar Dam
Lyons, Michigan

          The Wagar Dam was built by the Ionia Water Power Electric Company.   In 1898 the company purchased flowage rights near Lyons and constructed a dam across the Grand River.  The old steam powered plant was abandoned in 1899 when the new hydroelectric plant began operation.  The dam and power house were enlarged in 1904.  The Wagar Dam was purchased by Consumers Power (now Consumers Energy) in 1925.  The dam was retired in 1956 and demolished shortly thereafter.  The site was sold in 1959.

Thanks to Mark Patrick whose great-grandfather Sam Sage worked on the building of the Wagar Dam for the photos.

See also Michigan Hydroelectric History for pictures of the dam and worker house.

Last update March 15, 2009