Sturgeon date back 135 million years. They can live over 100 years and can reach 6 feet in length. It is good news that there is still a small population of state-threatened sturgeon in the Grand River. However, because of the Sixth street dam, these…

There is inherent danger with any “risk sport” that users accept. However, according to American Whitewater, Whitewater recreation is statistically safer than skiing, mountain biking, roller blading and many other outdoor sports. The rapids would be far less hazardous than the dams currently in the…

Through extensive community engagement sessions, it is clear the Fish Ladder is important part of the community. The Fish Ladder would not be removed but would be modified to remain functional.

Over the last 160 years, rocks and boulders were removed from the river bottom and used as fill for construction along the river.  Installing boulders, rock and gravel would contribute to the aquatic diversity of the Grand River. Pocket water, eddies, seams, fast water, and…

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 an holistic rapid restoration and river revitalization project aimed at returning the historic namesake rapids back to the Grand River….

Yes! Even though this is a rapids restoration and not a whitewater park project per se, there will still be features built in for play. However, the goal is to design the features to be so natural in appearance that you won’t know if they…

Recognizing the important social, recreational and economic benefits provided by rowing clubs on the Grand River, GRWW has spent considerable time studying the river bottom and the hydraulic features of the river in the Riverside Park area. Another incidental benefit of the AHS is the…

An understandable concern from upstream property owners is that this project will “drain the pond” once the Sixth Street Dam is removed. After extensive study of the river bottom, our engineers have verified property owners from Ann Street upstream to North Park Bridge will see…

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. Recreation has a better payback than hydropower with Americans spending an average of…

In addition to the environmental impacts listed above we believe the river will once again become a gathering place for social activities and recreation. In June of 2014, Grand Rapids WhiteWater released the results of an economic impact study.   This study was conducted by…