Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge; Rehabilitated Flint River dike. - FWS photo by Steven Kahl

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge; Rehabilitated Flint River dike. - FWS photo by Steven Kahl

The Flint River Flood and Erosion Control Board formed in the mid 1980s to protect private lands along portions of the Flint River.  The Board developed as an offshoot of the Saginaw Valley Flood Control Project, initiated in the 1950s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and finalized in 1983. 

The Flint River dike system protects more than 11,000 acres and encompasses 340 households, 72 farms, and six businesses in the Saginaw County townships of Spaulding, Albee, Taymouth and Bridgeport.  

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge has a Cooperative Agreement with the Flint River Dike Board to implement the Flint River Flood Control Project while recognizing fish and wildlife concerns on the refuge.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $2.41 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to the Flint River Dike Board for reconstruction of 53,900 linear feet of existing earthen dikes, construction of a storage reservoir, and creation of two wetland areas. 

This grant covered 75% of the project costs.  Residents of the flood-prone area established a special assessment district in the early 1980s to fund maintenance of the dikes and reconstruction of the system over time.  Homeowners, farmers and business owners contributed the local share of the project, which is $565,000.

The refuge cooperated with the Flint River Dike Board to rehabilitate two sections of dike which occur on the refuge.  These dikes total 10,000 linear feet and 35,000 cubic yards of material. 

Close coordination was critical to protect refuge infrastructure, including roads, gates, parking areas, culverts, and water control structures.  Extensive communication was required to minimize loss or degradation of refuge habitats since dike material was excavated onsite.  Also, advanced planning was necessary to prevent interference with the refuge’s deer and goose hunts and cooperative farming program.