What To Do About the Dams on the Shiawassee?

The Shiawassee River has always been a special river to me and more than 15 years ago I came together with others to form the Friends of the Shiawassee River.  I grew up canoeing on the Shiawassee River, and when a teen I participated in several clean-ups. My grandfather, Don Cook, who took me on my first Shiawassee canoe trips, helped Jim Miner with the Shiawassee River Improvement Association, the group that first sponsored clean-ups and got a trail built between Owosso and Corunna. The Friends picked up on Jim's work, and have put on more than 20 river clean-ups and tree plantings, helped promote recreational use of the River, and organized several hundred people to care for, share, and enjoy the river that gives our County it's name. (In my blog Tom's Travels you can read my personal observations about the River).

Dams. In the City of Owosso, there are three small dams that impede the River. In Corunna, there is a somewhat larger former mill dam and a partial dam upstream at a brick plant. The largest dam is the former hydroelectric facility at Shiatown. And just above Byron there is a dam where two forks of the River come together. All of these dams are old, and none are actively used for the purposes for which they were constructed.

For the last several years, the dams on the Shiawassee have become a concern, mostly because of their age. The deterioration of these dams makes it clear that some action is necessary. Also, national awareness about the negative impacts of dams has resulted in an increase in technical and financial assistance for dam removals from both public and private bodies. The safety hazards of dams has again become apparent, most recently with the death of a 12-year old girl at the Shiatown Dam. For these reasons, the Friends of the Shiawassee River as well as state and local governments have given considerable thought and study to the future of the dams in our community.

Dam Facts: There are three key things to keep in mind when discussing the dams on the Shiawassee River:

1. Rivers are healthier without dams. Rivers are naturally occurring features that pre-date human settlement. Dams were built to control water flows and levels, usually to serve economic interests such as power generation. While rivers and their inhabitants have adapted to the unnatural intrusion of dams, aquatic biologists and other scientists have come to learn that rivers are healthier without them. Dams block the movement of fish up and down the river, isolate species populations and hamper reproduction of all types of creatures. While anecdotes and folk wisdom abound about the Shiawassee, all of the research shows that the River and its fish and other inhabitants will be better without dams (read this study on the ecology of dam removal).
2. The existing dams do not control water levels on the River. While this may seem counterintuitive, we need to realize that none of the dams are currently managed. Without the operation of control gates, the opening or closing of sluiceways, or the insertion of boards into openings, none of the dams impact water levels. When it rains, the River goes up; when we get a drought, the River becomes shallow and in places muddy. Several of the dams have impoundments behind them, but the level of these wide, slow spots go up and down just as the River does.
3. Rivers are ever-changing; doing nothing is not an option. With time, the flow of water defeats rock and concrete, and rivers constantly move sediment and thus their banks. If a dam is not maintained, it will decay and begin to fall apart, as we are now witnessing. As well, the area behind a dam fills in with eroded soil and the impoundment shrinks. The good news is that life on the River is also ever-changing, and plants and animals move into new shallows and fill in exposed shoreline. If we do nothing with the dams on the Shiawassee, nature will have its way and remove or overrun them, but it will take time and the process may not be pretty nor best serve the interests of human residents of the local watershed.

Dam Removal. If the dams on the Shiawassee still served an economic purpose, private investments would be made to repair them and make them operational for flow control. With no private ownership of the dams, it falls to the public sector (state, county, and city governments) to determine proper action. A decision to "leave the dams alone" is a decision to promote deterioration and invite uncontrolled consequences to both human and natural communities. Some people have expressed a desire to restore the dams to their former size and function, but it is clear that local governments alone will have to bear this cost. State and federal funding is available for dam removal, not dam repair. As well, regulatory agencies that ensure dam safety, monitor water flows, and protect fish and wildlife will give any dam rebuilding scheme a high degree of scrutiny, at best.

Given these realities, it is prudent for our community to investigate the options for complete or partial dam removal. While costlier, there is also the option for the replacement of dams with rock rapids that allow for fish passage. This has been done successfully downstream at Chesaning (learn more and see photos here). Obviously, each dam and its location on the River is unique, and any specific removal or replacement would require careful study and good engineering. Whatever specific design, in general there are three benefits of dam removal on the Shiawassee:

1. Increased recreational use of the River by both boaters and anglers. While some kayakers enjoying the challenge of the existing dams in Owosso, most boaters find the dams a hindrance or a danger. The dams in Corunna and Shiatown cannot be safely negotiated: a few years ago, a kayaker died trying to go over the Corunna dam. Removal of the dams would make the Shiawassee more open to recreational canoers and kayakers, and might encourage private canoe rental facilities to make greater use of more of the River, especially between and through Corunna and Owosso. As well, removal of the dams in Owosso and those upstreams would allow for greater upriver migration of walleye, a popular gamefish, from Saginaw Bay.
2. Elimination of safety hazards would the primary benefit of dam removal. Over the years, there have been several drownings at dams on the Shiawassee.  Flowing water can be an attractive hazard, especially to the young or the uninformed.  However, the flow of water over and below dams can be deceptive, and all of the dams in the County have the potential to kill.  This is true of even small dams, especially in high water (see this video that explains the hydraulic flow over low dams).  
3. Using our River heritage for our future should guide our thinking and actions about dams. Our communities grew up where they are because of the Shiawassee, and we have had an evolving relationship with the River ever since. Over time, we have used the River for transportation, power, waste disposal, and recreation. What is the best role for the River today? As we move to a future built on the quality of life of our communities, we should think of the waterway flowing through town as an amenity. What would make the River most attractive to those on adjacent walkways, fishing its banks, paddling downstream, or just sitting along its banks? Importantly, what will attract businesses to make investments in our River-centered downtown? Decaying concrete that is unsightly and dangerous is not an attraction. Rather, let's use the challenge of dam removal as an opportunity to invest in the creation of a healthy, scenic, and usable River. As the Friends of the River mission statement says, let's "care, share, and enjoy" the Shiawassee.

The City of Owosso has not yet made any specific decisions about the three dams within the City limits. The Friends of the Shiawassee River did commission a study to look at options for the future of the dams (A copy is available at the City's website). The result of this work by an engineering firm and an aquatic biologist showed that the current dams are deteriorating, do hinder fish passage, limit recreational options, and create minor upstream impoundments that are less than when originally constructed. The study showed the dams could be removed with a minor impact on the character of the River. The River would be slightly narrower and shallower for a short distance upstream of two of the dams, but in a few years new banks would be established and vegetation would move in. Deliberate restoration activities would hasten this process.

What the City Council did decide to do was to work with the Friends of the Shiawassee River to look at options for dam removal and replacement. Currently, there is funding available from a variety of sources for taking out dams; there is no funding available for dam repair or reconstruction. The City is faced with two choices: 1) Do nothing, and let the dams slowly deteriorate; or 2) Investigate options and define some potential projects that maintain what we like about the dams and enhance what makes the Shiawassee special. In several public meetings, people mentioned what they liked about the dams: the sight and sound of rushing water and an attractive location to enjoy the River. It is possible to achieve these objectives while removing the dams as barriers and safety hazards.

Change is Difficult and no one involved in planning for the future of the dams in Owosso is acting precipitously. In fact, analysis and discussion has been spread out over time to allow people to think about what they value about the dams and what role they want the Shiawassee River to play in our community. In the short term, there is no need to act and the dams could probably stay in their present state for several years. However, funding opportunities may pass and eventually the dams in Owosso will fall apart. We can try and ignore time and the facts of the situation, or we can move ahead deliberately and consider options. Then, with community input and a sober look at costs and funding, we can make decisions that will best serve the City and continue to make the Shiawassee River an asset to our community.


Additional Resources can be found at these two websites

1. A "Dams Overview" from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that covers the regulation of dams, their environmental impact, and their history in our state. The website also lists examples of dam removals in Michigan as well as providing resources
2. "Dams and Dam Removal" information from American Rivers, the premier national resource and advocacy group on rivers in America. While most of their specific projects have occurred on larger dams on the east and west coasts, the site does provide some good educational material.

Bike City

To guide the work of the City of Owosso, the City Council has adopted goals for 2011-12. One of them is to make our community a Bike City: “Make Owosso a center for bicycle activity with new bike trails and other actions to promote biking in the community.” Bicycling is an important recreational activity that increases transportation options, improves the health of local residents, and makes our community a more attractive place to live for people of all ages.

On Friday, June 17, eighteen people gathered at Owosso City Hall to share information about current and potential initiatives to promote biking in the greater Owosso area. Although there may be other efforts also going on, twelve projects have been identified:

1. Bike Racks – the Design Committee of Owosso Main Street has identified eleven locations for new bike racks in downtown. These will have unique designs that replicate historic bicycles; they are being produced locally through Baker College. To learn more or be involved contact Dave Acton: dacton@chartermi.net

2. City of Owosso Master Plan – the City is in the process of putting together a new plan to guide development. It will reflect a recently adopted City Council resolution on Complete Streets, and will contain plans for new bike paths and routes, including a connection to the CIS Trail (see below), one end of which will be a few miles west of Owosso. In addition, the City is updating its Park and Recreation Plan. To provide input contact Community Development Director Adam Zettel at adam.zettel@ci.owosso.mi.us

3. The Live Healthy Coalition is a partnership of 14 organizations headed up by the Shiawassee Family Y, who is the recipient of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal is to make policy, systems, and design changes to promote active lifestyles. For more information contact Dawn Reha at dreha@shiawasseeymca.org

4. SATA Bike Racks – the Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency has installed bike racks on the front of its busses and is now providing rides to those who want to bring a bike, either for short trips upon reaching their destination or to provide for a one-way bike trip. For more information contact sata@tir.com

5. Tuesday night bike rides leave from the Shiawassee Family Y at around 6:15. This is one of several informally organized community bicycling opportunities. For more information contact Rick Morris at houseofwheelsinc@gmail.com

6. Shiawassee CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) is always looking to do more to promote tourism in Owosso and Shiawassee. They are looking into putting together a website to outline biking routes and otherwise promote organized and individual bike visits to the community. Contact Kim Springsdorf at kspringsdorf@shiawassee.org

7. CIS Trail (Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee) hopes to begin formal development next year on a trail that will run from just west of Owosso to Ionia through St. Johns. The right of way is secure and in conjunction with the Michigan DNR, Meijer Foundation, and others improvements will be made. Fundraising is currently underway with the receipt of a $15,000 grant from the DALMAC group. To become involved contact Avery Weaver at adweaver@charter.net

8. Mountain Biking at Collamer Park is being promoted with the development of trails and the recent hosting of the Curwood Fat Tire Race. For more information contact Jason Roka at rojas613@yahoo.com

9. The James Miner Trail continues to provide positive biking opportunities between Owosso and Corunna, though there is a need to improve and maintain the trail and provide better signage. To express your interest contact Owosso City Council member Joni Forster at joni.forster@ci.owosso.mi.us

10. BMX Park for bicycles is nearing completion by the City of Owosso along South Gould Street. Dirt is needed. Please contact Adam Zettel at adam.zettel@ci.owosso.mi.us

11. Share the Road signs are being offered through the Shiawassee-Owosso Kiwanis Club. This is part of an overall effort to provide education and support to bikers and drivers to respect the use of public roads by both forms of transportation. To seek a sign for installation contact Doug Cornell at mailto:doug@cornelltech.net

12. Owosso Bike Fest on August 14 brings a number of enthusiasts out to share their antique and specialty bicycles in the City parking lot in Westown (between Bradley and Cedar). For more information, contact Rick Morris at houseofwheelsinc@gmail.com

Shiawassee Bike City Network. It was agreed to establish an internet-based system to connect and inform bicycle supporters throughout the communities of Shiawassee County. Another meeting will be held in about six months to again share information. To become part of this network, or for more information, contact Owosso City Council member Tom Cook at citycouncilcook@gmail.com

Tree City

If we make Owosso a pleasant place to live, we will attract talented entrepreneurs, retain engaged families, and spur investments in both homes and businesses. Quality of life is a key economic development strategy for the future of our community. And perhaps nothing says quality of life for a community than trees. Last year, we took steps to have Owosso designated a Tree City, USA and we were just recognized with this award for the second year.

On Saturday, April 30, Arbor Day was recognized in Owosso with the planting of a white swamp oak tree on the banks of the Shiawassee River (if you look closely in this picture you can see Mayor Ben Frederick working with kids to complete the planting of this native species after he read the Arbor Day proclamation). This ceremony kicked off the second annual Green Up Clean Up organized by the Owosso Main Street program and the Friends of the Shiawassee River. This year, flowers were planted downtown, trash was picked up along the James Miner Walkway, and other community improvements were undertaken. In addition, a number of trees were planted along the Loop Trail, including several catalpa trees grown from seeds from the champion catalpa on the grounds of the State Capitol in Lansing. Catalpas are a large leaf southern tree, but Owosso is within the northern range of this species. The Shiawassee River environment is home to an overlap of southern trees like the catalpa, sycamore and Kentucky coffee tree along with northern species such as white pine and hemlock.

In addition to being pleasant to look at, trees provide several tangible benefits:

1. They reduce cooling costs by providing shade;

2. They filter pollutants from the air and help moderate climate change;

3. They prevent erosion and help keep the Shiawassee River cool;

4. They provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.

All of these benefits add up to a better quality of life in our community. One of the goals of the City is to make Owosso a green community and trees play a large part in this effort. To become a Tree City USA, Owosso meets four requirements: it has a City Arborist with knowledge of tree care, it has a tree care ordinance, engages in a systematic tree planting program, and recognizes Arbor Day annually.

Look at Owosso from the air (or on Google Earth) and our city's residential areas look forested. Tree lined streets with sidewalks and historic homes are a large part of the character of Owosso that continues to attract and retain those people who will contribute to our economic future. Being a Tree City is not a costly investment for the City, but it is an important statement about the values we hold. John Rosenow, founder of the Arbor Day Foundation said "we commend Owosso's elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest. We applaud communities that make planting and caring of trees a top priority."

Bike Trails to Build Community

I just got back from a tour of three great bike trails in Michigan and I came away excited about the opportunity for Owosso to promote tourism, strengthen our downtown, provide healthy recreation, bring the region together, and even promote early childhood learning. In three days, I biked the Hart-Montague Trail, Michigan's oldest rails-to-trails conversion, the Betsie River Trail that ties Frankfort, Elberta, and Beulah together, and the TART trail that is a centerpiece in Traverse City. Besides a sore rear end, I gained an appreciation of how good design and thoughtful planning can take advantage of these regional trails to build community.

All of the trails we rode are at least 15 miles long and attract a range of users. We saw other tourists like ourselves who purposefully travelled to bike the trails, locals out for exercise, kids on their way to somewhere, moms with strollers, and maybe even a commuter. We shared the trail with other bikers, runners, in-line skaters, and walkers. We saw solo folks with headphones, families on an outing, and friends talking away as they walked. These trails are used by a wide variety of people.

As we visited with folks, everyone spoke highly of the trails and their benefit to the community. One person shared with us how the trail had been opposed initially, but was now widely supported. Increased crime, use by a "bad element," or other fears had not materialized. All of the cities, and many of the businesses, along the trail had built special paths and installed directional signs to attract users to make a detour off the trail. Clearly, the communities along the trails value the economic development opportunities the trails create.

We were impressed with how the cities of Frankfort, Montague, and Whitehall had linked the trail to their downtowns. In Hart, one end of the trail was extended to link it to a municipal park and campground. Traverse City is located at the center of the TART trail and pulls people in from multiple directions. At the south end of the Hart-Montague Trail, a new trail extension, signs, public art, and attractive plantings pulled us into downtown Whitehall where we did some shopping. As we explored further, we learned that the City had used state grants, downtown tax increment funds, and local school funds to extend the trail through town to a park, library, and the high school. They also had a special stretch of the trails where families could take along pre-schoolers and stop at special stations where they could interact with their children and aid in their development. These trails provide a wide array of benefits.

Owosso has the opportunity to replicate these community development successes. First, we have an existing and long-standing trail along our riverfront that connects to Corunna. We can build on the foresightful work of our predecessors that put the James Miner Trail in place. Second, a significant trail is being developed that will run from Ionia to St. Johns to just outside Owosso. Finally, there have been discussions about developing a trail from Corunna to Durand, that if linked to the Miner Trail could provide a trail connection between the Grand Trunk Depot and the Steam Railroading Institute. I believe there are four steps we should take as a community and a region:

1. Protect and improve the James Miner Trail between Owosso and Corunna in conjunction with Caledonia Township and the Owosso Community Airport;

2. Support the completion of the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail and come up with a plan with Owosso Township to finish, extend, and connect the trail into downtown Owosso;

3. Work with other local governments and community groups to investigate the options for converting to a trail the abandoned rail line between Owosso, Corunna, and Durand;

4. Develop effective signage and other publicity to promote the use of the trail by both tourists and locals in the community.

None of this is easy. It will require planning, cooperation between jurisdictions, partnerships with community groups, and the raising of both private and public funds. However, if communities smaller than ours in northwest Michigan can realize the development of such great trails, I am convinced that Owosso and our neighbors could pull it off as well. In the end, it will help build our community.

Learning Opportunity

The Shiawassee River as a Key Piece of Community and Economic Development will be the topic of a presentation on Tuesday, February 23, 5:30-7:00 pm, at Caledonia Township Hall, 135 N. State Road.

David Lossing, Mayor of Linden, will describe how their community has taken advantage of their riverside location to further community development, including providing for recreational access, and describe upcoming plans. Mr. Lossing has been the Mayor of the City of Linden since 2004 and has been involved in a number of regional discussions in southern Genesee, Oakland and Livingston counties dealing with land use, multi-use bike paths, and the establishment of the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail. He’s involved with a number of local and statewide organizations and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Municipal League. He also serves as the director of government relations at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Shiawassee River

Two workshops in the next few weeks will present some tools the City of Owosso can use to preserve, develop, and utilize its most vital natural resource, the Shiawassee River. Looking both backwards and forwards in history, one sees the Shiawassee River at the center of our community's economy and quality of life. Owosso started here in the 19th century because of the River, and the River again offers the community a chance to create a special sense of place in the 21st century.

The Friends of the Shiawassee River (www.shiawasseeriver.org) are offering two opportunities to help understand the ecological and economic importantce of the River. On January 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Baker College Welcome Center, experts from the planning and engineerng firm Wade Trim will present Fish Passage and Recreation Potential on the Shiawassee which will discuss the very successful replacement of a dam in Chesaning. This act of river restoration replaced an aging dam in danger of failure with a set of scenic rock rapids (see photo below). Importantly, this change provides for the passage of walleye and other aquatic life, which improves both the environmental quality of the river and opens up large stretches for increased sport fishing. Owosso has three small dams, and Corunna has one large one, all of which are various states of disrepair. Wade-Trim will outline options for replacing these dams and enhancing the natural qualities of the Shiawassee.


The Shiawassee River as a Key Piece of Economic Development is the second important learning opportunity. Originally set for January 28, the date is now being rescheduled. The workshop will feature David Lossing, the Mayor of Linden, a small town upstream on the Shiawassee that has used the River as an asset to promote downtown development and recreation opportunities. He will highlight other mutli-jursidictional efforts in Genessee and Shiawassee County which seek to promote a green community using a blue asset, the Shiawassee River. Check in with the Friends of the River website (www.shiawasseeriver.org) for exact date and location of this meeting.

Both of these sessions will be valuable for anyone who cares about our communities, the Shiawassee River, and the life--human and aquatic--that makes good use of our most precious water resource.