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White House Endorses Restoration of Rapids

River Rapids Close-up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that the Urban Waters Federal Partnership is including the Grand River as one of 11 new locations to restore waterways, help local economies, create jobs and protect Americans’ health.

“The Grand River Urban Waters Federal Partnership is a business and community-led effort to restore an urban river in downtown Grand Rapids, beginning with recreating the namesake rapids.”
New Life for the Grand River Watershed by the Urban Waters Federal Partnership

Project: Lower Reach

Area: Michigan Street to Fulton Street

Install rocks and boulders to create new wave and riffle features.

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Remove Aging Dams

Project: Upper and Lower Reach

Area: Sixth Street Dam to Pearl Street

Remove four low-head dams (Lower Reach). Remove Sixth Street dam (Upper Reach) after new lamprey barrier is complete.

Sixth Street Dam to Pearl Street

Reveal a Portion of the Limestone Bedrock

Project: Upper Reach

Area: Leonard Street to Sixth Street Dam

Removing the Sixth Street dam will expose a portion of the limestone bedrock that is currently submerged.
Leonard Street to Sixth Street Dam

Project: Upper Reach

Area: Ann Street to Leonard Street

To protect the Grand River from invasive species, a new barrier will be installed. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is leading the review of several options and locations, including an Adjustable Hydraulic Structure (which would look similar to this construction in Iowa).
Ann Street to Leonard Street