While enhancing whitewater recreation was an early goal of the project, the project proponents have always embraced the opportunities and desires from others to improve natural river function, enhance fish passage, improve public safety, create and enhance aquatic habitat and flow diversity.

The design once included as many as 12 whitewater recreation features on both sides of the river. The previous permit application had four whitewater recreation features. After objections from state and federal permitting agencies, that application was withdrawn in March of 2023.

Since that time our project team has coordinated closely with state and federal agencies to develop a framework that guided the project design and development process for this new project. Designs for the lower reach were refined during an iterative process with MDNR Fisheries Division staff to achieve the MDNR’s hydraulic targets for fish passage to the greatest extent possible and with EGLE staff to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

The goals of the project design framework were to:
 Remove the low-head dams and the associated public safety hazards
 Achieve fish passage and aquatic habitat enhancement targets
 Diversify recreational opportunities
 Develop as aesthetically and functionally natural stream design as possible
 Include safe river access
 Protect critical infrastructure
 Restore rapids
 Avoid and minimize bed instability and public safety concerns associated with increases in flow velocities and scour potential