The Lower Reach project will have no direct impact on the Sixth Street Dam. The structure itself will not be touched or altered in any way as part of the Lower Reach Project. The proposed removal of the low-head dams and replacement with hydraulic features has been modeled to result in slight lowering of tailwater levels at Sixth Street Dam of a few inches. The functionality of the existing fish ladder is not expected to be impacted.
Why remove the four smaller dams in the Lower Reach?
Four low-head dams exist today within the construction area and present significant public safety hazards. They also function to create uniform hydraulics and an un-natural aesthetics throughout the project reach. It is believed these dams were built in the mid 1920’s to originally facilitate the image of the Grand River and served the purpose to dilute raw sewage. In 2015, the City of Grand Rapids completed the removal of their combined sewer overflow points. Visual and physical evidence exists to show these dams are deteriorating. The original purpose of the low-head dams is no longer being served and is no longer needed.
The dams also present barriers to fish passage and connectivity. A MDNR report by Hanshue and Harrington (2017) indicate that the low-head dams in the Project Area “likely represents a barrier to native fish species (e.g. Walleye Sander vitreus, suckers (family Catostomidae) during low flow conditions,”. The dams are also deteriorating or have failed.
Why do you need to add rock and boulder to the river?
Over the past 160 years, rocks and boulders were removed from the river bottom and used as fill for construction along the river or in the foundations of many buildings within the city. Using natural boulders, rock and cobble to construct the proposed improvements will contribute to the aquatic diversity of the Grand River. The pocket water, micro-eddies, seams, fast water and slow water created by the use of natural boulder and alluvium all contribute to improved oxygenation, macroinvertebrate habitat, and overall health of a river. These features also provide healthy structure and habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species.
Why are the current dams a “public safety” hazard?
The dams in the Grand River are classified as low-head dams. Low-head dams have unfortunately earned the nickname of “drowning machines” due to the dangerous recirculation of current that results from the water flowing over the dams and hitting the river bottom. This “keeper hydraulic” is very dangerous and extremely difficult to escape. These dams also span the entire width of the river and the keeper hydraulic captures large woody debris and other material making a dangerous situation even worse. Unfortunately, there have been injuries and deaths as a result of these low-head dams in the Grand River.
For a very technical, but informative explanation of the science behind these dangerous structures, check out this video from Practical Engineering:
Aren’t rapids dangerous?
As is true with most natural spaces, rivers have an inherent element of danger to users who do not understand the risks and do not take appropriate precautions. The primary difference to the existing condition of the river is that potentially dangerous hydraulics will be much more apparent to the user and the ability to self-rescue will be substantially improved compared to the recirculating and channel-spanning hydraulics of the low-head dams.
Public safety has been a primary consideration throughout the design of the project. The orientation of riffle features directs flow away from bridge piers, low-lying pathways, and floodwalls. The design of the river very much considers user interfaces and the concentrated hydraulics are all designed to maintain flushing flows and avoid the dangerous recirculating hydraulics created by the existing dams. Shoreline access is also being developed to allow for self rescue.
Risk is also mitigated through user knowledge, skill level and proper equipment and project design. In-channel users will be encouraged to follow applicable state laws for personal flotation devices cold water protection and other safety measures will be recommended. With any change, we recognize the need for a comprehensive public education campaign to make sure all future river users understand their limits and respect the power of a naturally flowing river.
The City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Whitewater have been working closely with the Grand Rapids Fire Department on the design of the in-river features and emergency access points.
Has hydroelectric generation been considered?
Yes, and the idea has been rejected based on a cost benefit ratio. It has been determined by engineers to be too costly to consider with a payback estimated at 70 years.
Why are the dams in the river?
According to the Grand Rapids City Archives and Records Center, from 1849 to 1926 there have been four dams identified in the historical records. From 1926 to the present there have been 5, possibly 6 dams identified in the historical materials. All of the dams were built in some way to harness the power of the Grand River to power bustling factories or to help facilitate the river for logging. The Fourth Street dam, more affectionately known today as the Sixth Street Dam, may have been built in two parts with the completion of the east side concrete construction in 1926. No significant work has been done to this dam since that time.
The four low-head “beautification dams” were constructed in the mid 1920 as part of a plan to improve the river through a series of beautification dams. In 1925, one city planning department plan gave some recommendations on the Grand River. “The appearance of the river below the [Fourth Street} dam should be improved,” the author wrote. “Several low-stage dams could be constructed at intervals which would maintain water constantly in the water. This would add greatly to the appearance and provide ample water surface for boating.”
How much will the Lower Reach project cost? Are private funds being used?
The Lower Reach is anticipated to cost $19-$20 million dollars. A combination of public and private dollars have been committed to the Lower Reach project. $9.8M in funding from the State of Michigan has been secured and $4.2 million has been secured from local governments. Additionally, there has been approximately $15 million in private sector contributions supporting the design, engineering, and development of the overall river restoration project for the last 15 years. $7.7 million in private contributions remains for the Lower Reach construction.
The City is currently seeking additional federal funding opportunities from the Natural Resources Conservation Service watershed protection program PL-566 funding authority that could potentially cover up to 50% of the construction costs associated with dam removal and habitat restoration.
Why spend that much money for a whitewater park or kayak course?
It is a common misconception that the goal of this project is to create a whitewater park only for kayakers. Instead, the plan is for a holistic rapid restoration and river revitalization project aimed at returning the spirit of the historic namesake rapids back to the Grand River. Through public input and scientific discovery from sonar, sediment sampling, river bed and hydraulic modeling, important opportunities have presented themselves. Previous versions of the Lower Reach Project design had proposed up to four wave features constructed of stacked rocks and boulders. These wave features have since been removed from the design as part of ongoing conversations with State and Federal regulatory agencies.
Kayaking, canoeing, rafting and even river surfing will be some of the many new recreational components of the Grand River Restoration project. The project also aims to improve an already great fishery by diversifying habitats, and improving and increasing safe access for anglers and boaters.
Will the Fish Ladder be removed? Will it still be functional?
Through extensive community engagement sessions, it is clear the Fish Ladder is an important part of the community and is an iconic piece of functional art. The Fish Ladder would not be impacted as a result of the Lower Reach Project.
Some modifications to the fish ladder may be necessary as part of the Upper Reach project to maintain the same range of functionality but those modification will not be known until a design alternative is selected for the Upper Reach Project. The City of Grand Rapids does not have plans to remove the fish ladder as part of this project.