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AADL Talks To: Janis Bobrin

Janis Bobrin
Janis Bobrin

Janis Bobrin came to the University of Michigan in 1969 to study urban planning and quickly became politically active in environmental issues with a particular interest in water resource management. She eventually served six terms as Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner. Since retiring as Drain Commissioner in 2012, Janis has served on numerous regional boards including the Huron River Watershed Council, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and Dawn Farm. Janis talks with us about some of the projects she undertook as Drain Commissioner and the many challenges she and her staff faced over the years. She also talks with us about Ann Arbor's ongoing efforts to address the Pall-Gelman dioxane spill and issues surrounding urban planning and density.

Read more about Janis Bobrin in historical articles from the Ann Arbor News and Ann Arbor Observer.

 

Downpour Halts Construction Of Tappan Junior High School, December 1949

Downpour Halts Construction Of Tappan Junior High School, December 1949 image
Year:
1949
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, December 21, 1949
Caption:
Workmen found a river in excavated areas at the new junior high school site between Washtenaw Ave. and Stadium Blvd. this morning. The heavy rains in the past 24 hours piled up waters about two feet deep in some portions of the site and halted construction of foundation walls. Work today was limited to pumping and ditching water from the submerged areas.

Whitmore Lake Water Level At High Stage, April 1938 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Whitmore Lake Water Level At High Stage, April 1938 image
Year:
1938
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, April 7, 1938
Caption:
WHITMORE LAKE WATER AT HIGH STAGE: "Highest in a number of years" is the way a Whitmore Lake resident yesterday described the water level at this resort town 10 miles north of Ann Arbor. This view, looking east, was taken on the south side of the lake along Shore Rd. and shows one of the cottages that is almost surrounded by water. There is no need for the diversion tunnel from Horseshoe Creek this year. Two years ago the tunnel outlet on the shore of Whitmore Lake was above the ground; now the water is over the top of the tunnel.

Children Play Despite Flooding on East Summit Street, August 1950

Children Play Despite Flooding on East Summit Street, August 1950 image
Year:
1950
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 11, 1950
Caption:
Yesterday was a very wet day, as this picture of semi-flooded E. Summit St. proves. Here, neighborhood youngsters frolic in the water that covered the street between N. Main St. and N. Fourth Ave. A total of 1.9 inches of rain fell in the severe cloudbursts that lashed the city during the afternoon and evening. Only minor damage was reported, however.

South Thayer Street Flooded By Rain, June 1954

South Thayer Street Flooded By Rain, June 1954 image
Year:
1954
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, June 18, 1954
Caption:
RAIN AND MORE RAIN: For the third straight day the skies opened over Ann Arbor yesterday afternoon and a torrential rain fell. The fall of 1.47 inches in a comparatively brief time flooded streets and many basements. The youth perched on a car hood is riding there so he can leap to high ground. That spare pair of shoes could come in handy if he misses. S. Thayer St., where the picture was taken, was flooded almost to the top of the curb.

Tracy Jackson Rides Bicycle Through Flooding at Pittsfield Village, June 1989 Photographer: Paul Hurschmann

Tracy Jackson Rides Bicycle Through Flooding at Pittsfield Village, June 1989 image
Year:
1989
Published In:
Ypsilanti Press, June 2, 1989
Caption:
Tracy Jackson, 10, of Pittsfield Township, takes a cool bike ride through the ready-made lake behind Village Townhomes caused by a water main break Thursday.