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Grand River restoration pauses for winter as dam removal continues

Grand River restoration pauses for winter as dam removal continues

Built World Grand Rapids, MI local

Crews are removing four low-head dams in Grand Rapids to restore rapids and fish habitat.

Today: Grand River restoration work pauses for winter

Overview

Updated 58 minutes ago

Crews in Grand Rapids are removing four low-head dams from the Grand River, the first in-river step toward restoring rapids that disappeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Work will pause later this month for winter and resume in summer, conditions permitting.

The project is meant to improve fish passage and aquatic habitat across 2,887 feet and 30 acres, while creating safer public access. The lower reach is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Why it matters

The Grand River is being reshaped to bring back fish habitat and public access that dams blocked for a century.

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Key Indicators

4
Low-head dams to remove
Four dams in the lower reach are being removed.
2,887
Feet of aquatic habitat enhanced
The project covers 2,887 feet of river corridor.
30
Acres of river corridor
Habitat work covers 30 acres.
2027
Expected lower reach completion
The city expects the lower reach to be done by the end of 2027.

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People Involved

MC
Matt Chapman
Executive director, Grand Rapids WhiteWater
Leading nonprofit partner on the restoration
MS
Mike Staal
River restoration project manager, City of Grand Rapids
Managing lower reach construction

Organizations Involved

Grand Rapids Whitewater
Grand Rapids Whitewater
Nonprofit
Leading restoration advocate

Nonprofit formed to restore the Grand River's rapids.
City of Grand Rapids
City of Grand Rapids
Municipal government
Lead public partner

City managing lower reach construction.
Taplin Group
Taplin Group
Construction contractor
Lower reach contractor

Contractor building causeways and removing dams.
Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Binational agency
Reviewing lamprey barrier options

Agency leading review of sea lamprey barrier options.

Timeline

2013 November 2026

2 events Latest: Today

  1. Grand River restoration work pauses for winter

    Today Construction

    Crews will pause later this month and resume in summer, conditions permitting.

  2. Grand River restoration wins federal partnership designation

    Designation

    The initiative is named an Urban Waters Federal Partnership project.

Scenarios

1

Lower reach dam removal finishes by end of 2027

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: City of Grand Rapids project page

The city says the Taplin Group will remove four low-head dams and build rock features over about two years. Completion depends on weather and river conditions.

2

Seasonal pause extends past summer 2027

Possible Resolves by Sep 1, 2027

Discussed by: WZZM reporting and city project page

The current schedule calls for work to resume in summer, conditions permitting. High water or permitting delays could push the restart later.

3

Sixth Street dam removal waits for lamprey barrier

Uncertain Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Grand Rapids WhiteWater and Great Lakes Fishery Commission

The upper reach dam cannot come out until a new sea lamprey barrier is complete. The commission is still reviewing options and locations.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2011 - August 2014

Elwha River dam removal (2011-2014)

Crews removed the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams from the Elwha River in Olympic National Park. It was the largest dam removal in U.S. history at the time.

Then

Sediment moved downstream and salmon began returning to stretches blocked for decades.

Now

The project became a reference point for river restoration and fish passage.

Why this matters now

It shows dam removal can reopen habitat, but recovery takes years of monitoring.

2023-2024

Klamath River dam removal (2023-2024)

Four dams were removed from the Klamath River across California and Oregon. It was the largest dam removal in U.S. history.

Then

The river flowed freely through the former reservoirs and restoration crews began replanting and monitoring.

Now

Tribes and agencies continue to track salmon and water quality.

Why this matters now

It is a recent large-scale test of whether dam removal can restore fish runs.

Sources

(3)
WZZM 13 Grand Rapids WhiteWater City of Grand Rapids