muskegon river dam

Three existing earth embankment dam sections A buttress spillway section An existing 300 acre-feet impoundment A powerhouse containing four generating units with a total capacity of . Little Log cabin on the Big Muskegon River. The natural features and history of the Muskegon River have informed its current impacts on Muskegon Lake and given us both curses and blessings to manage and benefit from. The ponds they created became destinations for boating, swimming and fishing, fueling tourism in a part of the state with limited jobs. The refurbished dam was completed in 1901. The USGS Water Resources Division (Lansing) monitored the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the river before and after removal. Any season of the year, this location boasts a plethora of fun activities to enjoy. The river flows over gravel bars, through fast runs and deep pools for nearly 20 miles of quality habitat, providing outstanding fish for both cold and warm water species of fish throughout the year. In 1900, the company began work on two major projects, the reconstruction of the Newaygo Dam and the construction of the Newaygo Powerhouse to provide water powered energy for the plant. The Muskegon River is a tail water fishery north of Grand Rapids, Michigan below Croton Dam near Newaygo, Michigan. $425,000. Sediment volumes and associated sediment management costs were significantly less than originally anticipated. Newaygo Powerhouse/Old Newaygo County Museum 4-17-18, Newaygo Grain Elevator the in background (photo-N.Looman). But its massive environmental tradeoffs quickly became clear. The two White River dams have a long history of negative effects on the fish in the river's mainstream and tributaries. 2 2.0 , Sq Ft: 1200 Year: 1986 Acres: 12.000. E-MAIL: [email protected]. At issue is whether to keep the impoundments in place, or remove them. deeper and slower float as the river approaches Croton Dam Pond. The Hardy Dam Pond Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. E-mail: [email protected], Copyright 2023 Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Dam Removal and the Problem of Articulating Positive Change. In the late 1800s, Muskegon was home to many different industries, including lumber mills, chemical companies, foundries, a coal-fired power plant, and a paper mill. hYn9>Nxx{xgc'F?ZGX2dew{nukd0:dXuT*eeZQ }Yr:F m*{6*rT.rR5gEC|E k7)oEx9Al:Q. Nicely wooded lot tucked off the road. The river source is located at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. Hunting is popular in the forests near by on public hunting land. Flood damage seen in an unmarked photo in the Grand Rapids Press files. These fish return to the river to spawn and reproduce. For more on what caused this flood, read Mark Torregrossa's story here. This trail is great for hiking, paddle sports, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many . Access points and highlighted lands are closely approximate. Muskegon Lake is connected to Lake Michigan via a mile-long channel. Dam Hardy Dam Rogers Dam Big Rapids Figure 2.-Major tributaries and landmarks in the Muskegon River watershed. The 48 hours of rain dumped more than a dozen inches of rain in parts of Western Michigan, caused millions of dollars of damage and has displaced more than 1000 area residents. Removal of this dam. This may cause you to enter password incorrectly. There are trees along the roads at every site--with most sites being back-in, caution needs to be taken manuevering a big rig into your site. The basement wall collapsed Thursday, Sept. 11, and Allswede has been one of the many friends and family to help Zimmermann clean up his home, and the more than four feet of mud from his basement. (You can see where many trees have been scraped.) The Muskegon River below Croton Dam is a fantastic year-round fishery popular with jet boats, drift boats, and wading anglers. *Appliance Service Plan is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Steps are being installed now and will be completed in the next week or two. Information and photos for this article was acquired from documents held by the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Caption: "The Brookside Tastee Freeze fell into Mitchell Creek in Big Rapids. (Bay City Times/ Wes Stafford), Caption: The corner of Forest St. and Franklin St. in Bridgeport as seen from a rowboat. 2 stall detached garage for all your toys plus a brand new privacy fence. The primary area for recreation boating along the Muskegon River extends just under 55 miles from Croton Dam (1) to Maple Island (7) and will take about 15 . 1 Croton Dam.25 hrs : 1 mile float 2 Pine Street 2.0 hrs : 6 mile float 3 Thornapple 2.5hrs:6.5milefloat 4 Henning Park 1.75hrs:4.5milefloat 5 Anderson Flats Thats far from certain. Those imbalances played out dramatically in 2020, when two privately-owned Midland area dams failed amid heavy rainfall. The heavy rains have washed out a bridge in US-31, a main north-south route. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Muskegon River, the . (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Nick Ruehmeier, 11, and sister Megan, 6, who live next to Hardy Dam, cross the dam as water pours over it, Sept. 11, 1986. Open House Sunday January 15, 2023 1-3 $269,000 1 Bed 1 Bath 800 Sq. Viewing Consumers eventual exit from the hydro business as inevitable, he and his colleagues have begun working with Muskegon River communities to envision a future that doesn't involve the dams in their current form. (The Saginaw News/ Michael Robb), Caption: "M-46 at River Road. Cut off from spawning habitat in lakes and rivers across the state, Michigans sturgeon population has shrunk to 1 percent of its historic size. (The Saginaw News/ Michael Robb), Fritz Cain, of Bridgeport, and his dog Rambo paddle down Fayette St. so the dog could do his duty on dry ground. (Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Sandbags keep flood waters at bay in this unmarked photo from the 1986 floods. In a perfect environmental world, all of them are gone, and we restore the river to its original form, Faulkner said. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, DISSOLVED OXYGEN, GAGE HEIGHT, and MORE are available. The river has good runs of migratory salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Consumers Power Company acquired the Dam for the purpose of developing hydro-electric power for the area. The DNR office in Cadillac keeps close tabs on the Manistee River and the Muskegon River (which follows). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Dams also warm rivers by trapping water in reservoirs and then releasing the sunbaked water downstream, harming fish such as trout that prefer temperatures below 70 degrees. It began commercial operation in 1907. [4] However, there were several Michigan logging railroads in operation in the 1850s, including the seven-mile-long Blendon Lumber Company railroad in Ottawa County, which was the first in the state to employ a steam locomotive in May 1857.[5]. Welcome home to your own private retreat along the picturesque. It was built between 1914-16 and is our furthest upstream (west) hydro on the Au Sable River. Racers exit their boat to portage over each dams embankment, an opportunity to stretch legs cramped from hours in a canoe. The Muskegon State Game Area spans both Muskegon County and Newaygo County. Sept. 12, 1986." Leave your worries behind and soak up the sun on a river rafting trip. (The Saginaw News/ David A. Sommers) (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com), Men help place sandbags near a drainage ditch in the South Lincoln area during the Sept. 1986 floods that affected much of middle Michigan. Published: Nov. 24, 2022, 9:00 a.m. Loud Hydro has a capacity of 4,000 kilowatts. A community-based, volunteer partnership organization, Muskegon Lake Public and Private Landowners, Michigan Volunteer River, Creek, Stream Cleanup Program. Water data back to 1987 are available online. Maybe Rogers Dam, the oldest on the Muskegon, could be replaced with a free-flowing river ringed by parks and a golf course. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Caption: "Midland, Mich: Sept. 11- Brian Armstrong carries clothing from the family camper that was overturned by reported tornado at 3am this morning. United States. EPA, DOT to increase accountability, safety in wake of Ohio chemical train derailment, Eleven states have committed to 100% clean electricity, Chemical train derailment highlights need for stronger safety rules to protect the environment. The Great Flood of 1986 resulted in $500 million of damage throughout Michigan's central lower Peninsula. These bridge crossing include motorized vehicle crossings, railroads, and several pedestrian/bicycle trail crossings. At the time, before policy had caught up to the environmental consequences of dams, the impoundments seemed like miracle assets, delivering emissions-free power as reliably as a river flows. The majority of the bicycle and pedestrian trail crossings are former railroad bridges which have been converted to non-motorized traffic. Copyright 2022 Great Lakes Protection Fund It flows in a south, southwest direction before it dumps into the Croton Pond above Croton dam. At issue is whether to keep the impoundments in place, or remove them. The evolution of the Newaygo Dam is an excellent example of the manipulation of our natural resources as well as a good case study for the choices we make between economics and conservation. Steelhead enter West Michigan rivers as early as late September. (The Muskegon Chronicle/ Beth Erhart)", Caption: "Booth News Service, Mike McDonnell, 32, (far right) had just moved to Saginaw from Grand Island, Nebraska, he said that he has his doubts about staying, Sept. 11, 1986. 160 Acre Parcel Located at 17 Mile & Hwy 66 in Barryton, MI. (The Saginaw News/ Gary Netzley), The Brookside Tastee Freeze fell into Mitchell Creek in Big Rapids, Sept. 12, 1986. New regulations ended the practice of peaking, or filling and then rapidly draining reservoirs to maximize power output during times of high demand. Muskegon Lake is a 1,679 hectare drowned river mouth that was created historically by fluctuating Lake Michigan water levels and the closing of a channel by wind induced erosion of sand dunes. But as a business owner, he can relate to Consumers' conundrum. Contact Us. Guilford: Falcon Publishing, 2001. Webber Hydro has a capacity of 3,225 kilowatts. As a result, the dams now operate at less than 40 percent of their capacity. In this series, members of the Great Lakes News Collaborative, Michigan Radio, Bridge Michigan, Great Lakes Now, and Circle of Blue, explore what it might take to preserve and protect this precious resource. The smaller Reedsburg Dam is near the source of the Muskegon River. We have a long history with hydropower, building the Croton Hydro on the Muskegon River in 1907. Hardy Dam Pond features a 50-mile shoreline that surrounds nearly 4,000 acres of water. The Muskegon River-a tailwater fishery of western scale and beauty flowing through the small town of Newaygo-is located just 45 minutes north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Steelhead flies that represent Scuds, Sculpin, and Coho Salmon fry are also very effective near the Croton Dam. The River wasn't expected to crest until noon Friday. Kentwood, MI 49512 It was built by the city of Allegan and began commercial operation in 1936. While most wading anglers concentrate their time between Newaygo and Croton Dam, boats will motor all the way downstream. Following the disaster, a state task force concluded that dams across the state need immediate attention to avoid future tragedies, including money to fix problem dams and substantially enhance dam removal.. Follow Us. Its banks forested and sometimes tall, the Muskegon flows clear and bright over gravel bars only to settle into dark runs and pools full of promise. The forest along the river varies from mixed oak, pine and aspen to white cedar and hemlock stands. The Muskegon River is a tail water fishery north of Grand Rapids, Michigan below Croton Dam near Newaygo, Michigan. The area around the town of Newaygo has access to the river, and the river is ideal for fishing and canoeing. "Several thousand gallons" of liquid containing hexavalent chromium have spilled into the Huron River. Newaygo Dam History . Photos. MECOSTA COUNTY The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly and its partners have received funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the removal of Altona and Buckhorn dam projects, according to a news release from the organization. Allegan Hydro has a capacity of 2,550 kilowatts. Text >>(231) 519-7348. The Muskegon River is a smooth flowing tailwater that reminds us of Montana's Missouri River below Coulter Dam. Like many of its neighboring streams, the Muskegon was one of the favored logging rivers during the boom years of the 1880s-1890s, and a keen eye can still pick out remnants of stray logs embedded on the river bottom, left over from the spring logging runs. The 48 hours of rain dumped more than a dozen inches of rain in parts of Western Michigan, caused millions. Newaygo County Museum. But he also lives on Croton Pond, the impoundment created by one of Consumers three Muskegon River dams. March 18, 2022 Muskegon River anglers should be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam this spring. If the dam goes away, Faulkner said, Im in the same boat with everybody else.. Pine River 3 S. Rudyard. Muskegon River is a river in the western portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. During hydropowers heyday, Consumers and its predecessors owned more than 90 dams across the state. The river hosts large wetland complexes at its headwaters and at its confluence with Muskegon Lake which provide rich and unique habitats for fish and wildlife. Y&pbP;Ai ?^e`Plt("+r7aA #9L7- \ ]AfNe 2y09Q$w^Pw &> endobj 10 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 11 0 obj <>stream (The Grand Rapids Press file photo), Don Aldrich, of the city's street maintenance department in Grand Rapids, tries to unclog a storm drain on Fulton Street, Sept. 11, 1986. The Muskegon Museum of Art and the USS Silversides offer a unique and historical take on the Muskegon River that allows for every member of your family to explore the area and create lasting memories. Click the green button to the left to download a permit application for projects including: Innovative Plant Provides Energy When Most Needed, Explore Our Plans for a Future of Clean Energy, Click here to see a map of properties that will be contacted, (M-F, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sat, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.), Non-commercial piers, breakwaters, landings or other similar structures and facilities, Placement or removal of dredged or fill material from or into project lands or waters. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Oceana County Sheriff Fred Korb watches the waters of the south branch of the Pentwater River at Hart Lake, Sept. 12, 1986. The Muskingum River Parkway State Park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District. That's not a perfect world for property owners., 91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids The idea of losing the dams has nearby residents nervous. The Cabin. We recognize that theres other values to these facilities than just the megawatts, said Marianne Walter, a senior engineer at the company. We apologize for the inconvenience! Hydropowers waning cost-competitiveness at times leaves dam owners struggling to cover those costs. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Rex Larsen), After flood waters burst through the dam at White Cloud, water rushed downstream where it flooded residences and closed M-37 at the south edge of White Cloud, Sept. 12, 1986. Amid those changes, Consumers sold or retired most of its dams between the 1940s and 1970s. The dams fragmented rivers and warmed their water, harming fish. Offering lodging on the famed Muskegon River, one mile downstream from the Croton-Hardy Dam. Today, as you kayak or fish under the M37 Bridge you can still see the steel remnants of the Newaygo Dam reaching out from the bed of the river. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Caption: "Bay City, Mich.,-- Jesse Lopez had to push his bicycle to reach home in the area of Bay City where several streets were submerged and hundreds of basements flooded. Later road was closed to traffic across Tittabawassee. Both parks have cabins, a beach and a boathouse. For suggestions to find the best web browser for you (The Saginaw News/ Steve Jessmore), The Muskegon River boils through the floodgates at Hardy Dam as Consumers Power Co. crews attempt to lower the backwater, Sept. 12, 1986. Toxic PFAS forever chemicals threaten both humans and wildlife. The only exception to this rule is where special provisions apply to our lands which encompass 12,000 acres bordering our Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydro facilities, where hunting is allowed. Hydro power produces clean, reliable power that weve counted on for more than 100 years. 1009 Campus Drive JOH 200 Consumers, one of Michigan's largest electric utilities, began a lengthy process this autumn to consider the future of its 13 hydropower dams that plug five Michigan rivers: The Au Sable, Manistee, Muskegon, Grand and Kalamazoo. The river passes through Clare County, Osceola County, Mecosta County, Newaygo County, and Muskegon County, a. Since 1969, Wisner Rents Canoes has been offering canoe, kayak, tubeand boat rentalsfor locals and tourists. Large amounts of rain have caused massive flooding. The dam spans the Muskegon River and creates a large reservoir that covers an area of approximately 3,700 acres (7.3 square km). Built between 1906 and 1935, our heritage is rooted in these renewable energy sources. Summer temperatures in the Au Sable Rivers storied trout waters routinely exceed that threshold below Consumers dams, said Bob Stuber, executive director of the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition, an environmental and conservation group focused on the impacts of dams. We are intermittently experiencing technical difficulties with processing payments. Federal regulators consider Consumers' dams to be in satisfactory condition, with none of the alarming deficiencies that plagued the Midland dams. Official websites use .gov Where are the people that actually live here, where is this community going to survive?. The Great Lakes region is blessed with an abundance of water. Lamb; rehabilitated 2000. More then 10 inches of rain fell over the area causing local dams to fail. @ Grand Valley State University, Muskegon, MI 06/2015 - 12/2016 Postdoctoral Research Associate School of Marine Science, University of Maine, Orono, ME Publications Zhou, X., P. Xue, Q. Liu, M.D., Row. We operate 13 hydroelectric plants along five rivers that run through our state. The flooding caused 6 deaths, injured 89, contributed to the failure of 14 dams, and damage to about 30,000 homes from Muskegon to Bay City. (Grand Rapids Press file photo), Caption: "Muskegon, Mich.,-- Lauren Martin (foreground) and Carl Pieczynski, both of Norton Shores, take a canoe ride through the mona Lake Mobile Homes Park in Muskegon Heights. Invasive Plants and Waterfowl It was completed in 1912. The river drains 2,725 square miles of watershed and passes over four major dams, Reedsburg, Rogers, Hardy and Croton on its journey to Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. If you were to take out all the dams, said Scott Faulkner, executive director of the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, you would have a fishery that some have estimated is 50 to 100 times more productive than if the dams were here.. Now, the massive ancient fish can go a few dozen miles before a concrete wall blocks their path. Canoe, Kayak, Inner Tube, & Flat Bottom Boat Rentals on the Mighty Muskegon River. Originating in Higgins and Houghton Lakes, the Muskegon River flows 219 miles to its confluence with Muskegon Lake. The river corridor features steep banks and unique scenery. By, Ford battery plant site prep main recipient of funds in $1.3 billion spending bill sent to governor, Free legal representation now available for many Detroiters facing eviction, MSU announces new security measures, plan for external review of response to mass shooting on campus, Michigan Senate advances repeal of 1931 abortion ban though the ban is already unenforceable, Michigan Senate passes Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act expansion to add LGBTQ rights, Report from environmental groups accuses power industry of failing to clean up coal ash dumps, Cancer-causing hexavalent chromium spills from Wixom plant into Huron River. MECOSTA COUNTY Deteriorating dams have become an increasingly urgent issue across the United States. A contractor from Grand Rapids got the job and for $84,000 the demolition of the dam was completed in February, 1969. Youll find the dam nine miles upstream from Lake Huron. Scott Looman The Grand Rapids - Muskegon Power Company (a predecessor to today's Consumers Energy Company) built the Croton Hydroelectric Plant in 1906 - 1907. Croton Dam and the Muskegon river just a short walk from the premises . And at an average of 105 years old, Consumers says the dams need hundreds of millions of dollars in maintenance and upgrades to continue operating safely. (The Bay City Times/ Wes Stafford), Caption: "MUSKEGON, MICH., Sept. 11 -- It is bad enough to go shopping during a rainstorm, but for Paul Omness of Muskegon, his trip across the rain swept parking lot of a grocery store Wednesday afternoon included the added nuisance of a broken umbrella. The river source is located at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. Technicians are currently working on the problem. Heavy rains over the past two days have caused the worst flooding in Western Michigan in over 100 years." It was completed in 1912. Originating in Higgins and Houghton Lakes, the Muskegon River flows 219 miles to its confluence with Muskegon Lake. Construction dates will be shared when finalized. For information on obtaining a lease, license, permit or easement, call our Operations Planning Center at 866-679-4054 or email [email protected]. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 25 min to complete. The companys dilemma is familiar: More than 80% of Michigans 2,521 dams have aged beyond their intended life span, resulting in growing costs to keep them going. c/o Ferris State University The Muskegon River is expected to crest late Friday at over 7 feet above flood stage. The dam is used to produce hydroelectric power and holds back the river to form Hardy Dam Pond. Migratory fish : Lake Michigan steelhead, lake-run brown trout, and chinook salmon. Known as the "River of Marshes", anglers experience fun-filled days on the water fighting to catch the rainbow trout that were stocked in the river during the 1870s and the salmon later on in the 1960s. And the communities that surround those bodies of water would be destroyed.. In Michigan, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly is working to solve that problem. Hillstrom, Kevin, and Laurie Hillstrom. In 1853, the Penoyer family sold their land and business interests in Newaygo to lumbermen from Glenn Falls, New York who called their new lumber business the Newaygo Company. In 1836, the state began building dams and locks on . hKBa}Z7hP\BCLD~PK-)- I EcP!AD$nur{s5^Y-qA#Ml8 P/1t(S0#lIUowI4GS@QSB'bx{)Q9?O3 /tnSMP^,]w (The Grand Rapids Press/ Marvin Laningar). Directions. Find Lake Homes & Real Estate Experts. [email protected]. (The Muskegon Chronicle/ Brian Masck), Caption: "Newaygo, Mich.,-- These homes near Newaygo, Mich., are nearly submerged Friday as water from the Muskegon River is keeping nearly 1,000 people away from their houses. The Muskegon River watershed drains 2,350 square miles (6,100 km2) from ten counties in north central Michigan: Muskegon, Newaygo, Mecosta, Clare, Osceola, and Roscommon. If you like to swing flies, lean toward areas that are slower than walking speed or areas where you can get a fly down and keep it down. Heavy rains will send the rover to record highs. The Little Muskegon's beginnings are on the outlet of Horsehead Lake near Mecosta. As climate change warms the worlds rivers, environmentalists see dam removal as key to protecting coldwater fish like trout. Two years ago, the MRWA received a grant from the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund to identify dams in the watershed that are no longer viable. Trout fishing season opens the last Saturday in April. Roads and campsites are paved. Consumers, one of Michigans largest electric utilities, began a lengthy process this autumn to consider the future of its 13 hydropower dams that plug five Michigan rivers: The Au Sable, Manistee, Muskegon, Grand and Kalamazoo. WRSX 91.3 Port Huron is off the air due to network issues. (2) USGS River gaging station on the Muskegon River looking upstream towards Croton Dam. In October of 1968 the State of Michigan started taking bids for the destruction of the Newaygo Dam. Jeff Bacon - Michigan River Fishing Guide 5388 E. Heathwood S.E. . Consumers officials spent the fall making the rounds to communities surrounding the dams, from Newaygo and Big Rapids on the Muskegon, to Mesick and Brethren on the Manistee, assuring residents that the company has made no decisions yet. 8. (Muskegon Chronicle file photo), Caption: Muskegon, Mich.,-- Maple Island Road, on the Muskegon and Newaygo county line, was washed out for about 200 yards across and dropped about 20 feet, where the road disappeared about 1 a.m. Thursday morning due to heavy area rain, Sept. 11, 1986. Nightly camping or cabin reservations will begin February 1st at 4:00 pm. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Bridge Michigan | With 1,087 residents in the entire township surrounding the Alcona Dam Pond, McCormick said, I dont know who around here would have that kind of resources.. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Ben Beversluis), Wayne W. Allswede of Frankemuth cleans out mud from under the hot water heater in friend Ralph Zimmermann's home in Saginaw Township.

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