Once restricted with deteriorating infrastructure, a nearly-1-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River has returned to a thriving, free-flowing ecosystem, courtesy of a multiagency, decades-in-the-making effort.

The public and media are invited to help celebrate the completion of the Plainwell Dam and Spillway Restoration Project, a $7 million initiative, Thursday, Aug. 7. Project partners will share their perspectives on the project, and self-guided tours of the restored site will be available.

Restoring a river and a community

Once an industrial site burdened by paper-waste pollution and outdated dam structures, this area has undergone an ecological transformation. The project restored 0.8 miles of river channel, stabilized more than a mile of riverbank, and reestablished 15 acres of native riparian habitat. These efforts expanded the floodplain by 6 acres and dramatically increased the river's capacity to store floodwaters, reducing downstream flood risk.

More than 325 large wood structures ("rootwads" – tree trunks with attached roots, shown here) were installed to protect riverbanks and provide vital fish and wildlife habitat. Already, signs of ecological recovery are emerging, with increased sightings of smallmouth bass, turtles, osprey and other native species. “This project shows what’s possible when agencies come together with a shared purpose,” said Mark Mills, regional supervisor with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. “We weren’t just removing a dam, we were reimagining how this stretch of river could function ecologically and socially. The result is a safer, healthier and more accessible river for the people and wildlife of southwest Michigan.”

Project partners and funding

Project partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Great Lakes National Program Office; the U.S. EPA Superfund program; the Michigan DNR; the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the Kalamazoo River Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program.

Funding was provided by a combination of sources:

• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – $1.9 million.
• Kalamazoo River Natural Resource Damage Trustees – $2 million.
• Michigan DNR – $2.6 million, including a $600,000 Dam Management Grant.
• U.S. EPA Superfund Site Responsible Parties – $600,000.

Event details

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 7.

WHERE: 1195 M-89, Plainwell, Michigan 49080 (west side of Meijer, back of parking lot).

WHO: The following are expected to give remarks:

• Mark Mills – Michigan DNR.
• Lexi Willison – district director, Office of Rep. Bill Huizenga.
• Crawford White – EPA (Great Lakes Restoration Initiative).
• Jay Wesley – Natural Resource Trustees for the Kalamazoo River.
• Daniel Peabody – EGLE (Superfund).
• Jennifer Tewkesbury – EGLE (State Areas of Concern Program).
• Kenny Kornheiser – Kalamazoo River Watershed Council.
• Lois Heuchert – Plainwell Kayak Company.

Media contact: Mark Mills, 269-967-5367