http://www.americanrivers.org
Michigan had a number of dams slated for removal .
Some dams create a lot more controversy than others. The Argo Dam in Ann Arbor upon the Huron River is a heavily contested subject among many residents who want to see the elderly eyesore removed.
Blue Infrastructure is the hot new catch phrase in many communities lately. People choose to live and work in areas where recreation is readily available. By maintaining and preserving natural resources for recreation the surrounding communities can remain economically vibrant.
“It is time to rethink our nation’s water infrastructure.
These dam removals are an example of how our communities can reap
multiple benefits when we work with nature instead of against it,”
said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers.
“Streams, wetlands, and floodplains give our communities essential services,
like clean water, flood protection, and abundant fisheries.
When we help rivers we are actually helping ourselves.”
Maple Hill Dam, Butternut Creek, MI: Located in Charlotte, this 3.5—foot tall, 25-
foot long concrete dam was originally built for irrigation purposes. Its removal will
improve fish habitat and facilitate fish passage through the restoration of three river
miles. Contact: Chris Freiburger, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 517-373-6644,
freiburg@michigan.gov.
Cascade Dam, north branch of the Clinton River, MI: Located in Romeo, the removal
of this 18-foot tall,120-foot long concrete dam will restore access to high quality habitat
for steelhead and other aquatic species.
Wolcott Dam, north branch of the Clinton River, MI: This concrete dam, which is
two feet tall and 45 feet long, was originally built to power a mill. Removal of the
Wolcott Dam will restore access to high quality habitat for steelhead and other aquatic
species.
Rice Creek Dam, Rice Creek, MI: This 12-foot high, 500-foot long former mill pond
dam was built in 1835. The city of Marshall owns the dam and is working with the
Calhoun Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, and the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources to remove the structure. The goal of the project is to enhance the
inland fishery and other aquatic resources of Rice Creek by restoring a 0.8 mile millrace
and historic channel at Ketchum Park in Marshall. This site is unique because it is
historically significant, openly visible and in a public park, and the only dam on the
creek, thus its removal would open the entirety of Rice Creek (a cold water trout stream)
to fish passage.
Contact: Carl Fedders, City of Marshall, 269-781-3985, cfedders@cityofmarshall.com.
Chesaning Dam, Shiawassee River, MI: Locate in the City of Chesaning, the 9-foot tall
by 250-foot long dam was owned by the city and was built in 1863. The structure failed
and was removed to alleviate concerns over safety and liability. The removal, which
restored 18 river miles, has improved safety, recreational use of the river, fish passage,
aquatic habitats, and the river’s aesthetic appeal.
Contact: Mike Neilson, Wade Trim Engineering, 989-686-3100.
Thompson Dam, Thompson Creek, MI: This concrete dam, located in Thompson,
stood at five feet tall and was 35 feet long. It was built in 1940 as part of the state fish
hatchery. The removal will provide access to two miles of fish habitat in this headwater
stream. Lower water temperatures as a result of the removal are also expected to benefit
local trout populations. Contact: Jessica Mistak, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906-249-1611, mistakjl@michigan.gov.
Nashville Dam, Thornapple River, MI: Located in Barry County, this 8-foot tall, 170-
foot long rock/timbercrib dam was originally built in 1890 to power a local mill.
Removal of the Nashville Dam will restore access to 60 miles of habitat for aquatic
species and is expected to open up additional access to park land. A fairly robust
monitoring plan is also being planned by a number of local partners to assess the success
of this restoration project. Contact: Joanne Barnard, Barry Conservation District, 269-948-8056,
joanne.barnard@mi.nacdnet.net.
Unnamed Dam, Williams Creek, MI: This concrete and earthen dam was built in 1924
as a state fish hatchery. Its removal will restore two river miles and facilitate the passage
of salmon and steelhead. Contact: Jessica Mistak, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906-249-1611, mistakjl@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) Dam Safety Unit maintains
records showing that 93% of Michigan’s dams will have reached their design life of 50 years
by 2020 and that 166 of them built before 1900 have already passed this design life.
Comments