Project Title: Chesaning Dam Removal (FFS #R3TA)

State: Michigan

Project Description: Alpena National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Michigan will receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support removal of the Chesaning Dam in Saginaw County, Michigan. The project will restore fish passage to 37 miles of upstream habitat historically available to aquatic species in the Saginaw River Watershed. Restoration of fish passage will be accomplished by removal of the dam and construction of a low slope rock ramp with boulder arch weirs. The Chesaning Dam has been identified as one of the most significant impediments to the successful restoration of the walleye fishery in Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. The project will restore fish passage to the upper reaches of the Shiawassee River as a part of the Saginaw Bay Walleye Recovery Plan and provide spawning habitat for native lake sturgeon.

The dam removal will assist in the restoration of lake sturgeon, which have recently been documented below Chesaning Dam, to Lake Huron and the Saginaw River Watershed by restoring access to important spawning and rearing habitat upstream of the current barrier. Installation of similar rock ramp structures in Minnesota and Wisconsin has proven successful in restoring fish passage for numerous other species.

News Release: Secretary Salazar Announces $142,000 for Alpena NFWCO for Dam Removal and Rock Ramp Installation in Saginaw River Watershed

Originally posted 08/06/2009