(Muskegon Chronicle/ Greg Dorsett), Caption: "A Bay City resident surveys the flooding from the relative safety of his front porch. It is connected to Lake Michigan by a shipping Big Bend Park is located on the Big Muskegon River near the Hardy Dam, with 17 miles of waterway for boating, fishing, swimming, and waterskiing. (The Saginaw News/ David A. Sommers) (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com), Men help place sandbags near a drainage ditch in the South Lincoln area during the Sept. 1986 floods that affected much of middle Michigan. The river corridor features steep banks and unique scenery. The dam spans the Muskegon River and creates a large reservoir that covers an area of approximately 3,700 acres (7.3 square km). United States. The heavy rains have washed out a bridge in US-31, a main north-south route. At the time, before policy had caught up to the environmental consequences of dams, the impoundments seemed like miracle assets, delivering emissions-free power as reliably as a river flows. The Cabin is located on 20 wooded acres with 550' of direct access river frontage. Au . Dam Removal and the Problem of Articulating Positive Change WRSX 91.3 Port Huron is off the air due to network issues. The Muskegon River never freezes so we fish all winter long, offering great fishing year around. The Hardy Dam Pond Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. If you like to swing flies, lean toward areas that are slower than walking speed or areas where you can get a fly down and keep it down. It was built in 1907 under the direction of William D. Fargo by the Grand Rapids - Muskegon Power Company, a predecessor of Consumers Energy. It began commercial operation in 1907. TEL: 231-652-5957. [4] However, there were several Michigan logging railroads in operation in the 1850s, including the seven-mile-long Blendon Lumber Company railroad in Ottawa County, which was the first in the state to employ a steam locomotive in May 1857.[5]. Any dam removal on the Au Sable would likely also change the rivers annual canoe marathon, a storied nonstop dash from Grayling to Oscoda. It was completed in 1918 and is named after our founder. To learn how were planning for the future, and see the presentations from each meeting, click the button. But he also lives on Croton Pond, the impoundment created by one of Consumers three Muskegon River dams. (Bay City Times/ David Sams), Caption: "An emergency crew surveys the damage in downtown Vassar, where the Cass River surged over its banks Thursday. Kentwood, MI 49512 . Today we operate 13 hydroelectric plants. Consumers Energy is authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue permits for the use and occupancy of project lands and waters. Warm water resident fish: The most popular warm water fish are smallmouth bass and northern pike. Nearly 3,600 miles of roadways became impassible.Rogue River hit its record high level of 11.4 feet in September 1986 after more than a foot of rain fell over a two-day period. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Oceana County Sheriff Fred Korb watches the waters of the south branch of the Pentwater River at Hart Lake, Sept. 12, 1986. The three major dams of the Muskegon River (Rogers, Hardy and Croton) generate about 45,600 kilowatts, with about 30,000 of that from Hardy Dam. Paddling Michigan. (The Saginaw News/ Steve Jessmore), Saginaw, MI: Sept. 14/1986: Saginaw Township resident Ralph Zimmermann's basement wall fell in Thursday, Sept. 11, and family and friends are still cleaning up the mud from belongings and throwing out those beyond help. Thunder Bay River At Bolton. Migratory fish : Lake Michigan steelhead, lake-run brown trout, and chinook salmon. A contractor from Grand Rapids got the job and for $84,000 the demolition of the dam was completed in February, 1969. The structures generate electricity by stopping up rivers, flooding the land behind the dams and then releasing that water through the dam, where the force of its flow spins turbines to power a generator. Foote Hydro has a capacity of 9,000 kilowatts. Croton Dam and the Muskegon river just a short walk from the premises . At issue is whether to keep the impoundments in place, or remove them. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Marv Laninga), Customers at Tony's Tackle must negotiate a sand bag route to the store entrance. The river flows over gravel bars, through fast runs and deep pools for nearly 20 miles of quality habitat, providing outstanding fish for both cold and warm water species of fish throughout the year. During the months of October, November, and December, the Muskegon is transformed into one of the Midwests premier spey fishing rivers. Roads and campsites are paved. Summer temperatures in the Au Sable Rivers storied trout waters routinely exceed that threshold below Consumers dams, said Bob Stuber, executive director of the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition, an environmental and conservation group focused on the impacts of dams. hYn9>Nxx{xgc'F?ZGX2dew{nukd0:dXuT*eeZQ }Yr:F m*{6*rT.rR5gEC|E k7)oEx9Al:Q. The Little Muskegon's beginnings are on the outlet of Horsehead Lake near Mecosta. The Gannett Outdoor Advertising company this week finally decided to seek a little comic relief from the gloomy skies by posting this billboard on U.S. 13. " You may unsubscribe at any time. The 13 that remain provide just 1.2 percent of the utilitys annual power mix, barely enough to cover their $12.6 million in annual operating costs. Enjoy the beauty of the Hardy Dam Pond, an amazing water getaway with several access points nearby. hKBa}Z7hP\BCLD~PK-)- I EcP!AD$nur{s5^Y-qA#Ml8 P/1t(S0#lIUowI4GS@QSB'bx{)Q9?O3 /tnSMP^,]w Allegan Hydro has a capacity of 2,550 kilowatts. (MLive file photo), Flood waters from the Tittabawasee flood the Saginaw Township wastewater plant early morning, Sept. 14, 1986. Canoe, Kayak, Inner Tube, & Flat Bottom Boat Rentals on the Mighty Muskegon River. (The Muskegon Chronicle/ Brian Masck), Melanie Hummel (13) of Newaygo has a wonderful time running through the flooding waters over M-37 in Grant, Mich., Thursday afternoon. All of which lead Tonya Wertheimer to wonder: If the Alcona Dam were to disappear tomorrow, taking with it the 1,075-acre reservoir that draws tourists all summer long, would Glennies grocery store be next? Open all year. The rain cons tines to fall and conditions are becoming worse. muskegon river at evart, mi : 843 : 903 +60 : 04121507: twin creek at eight mile road near evart, mi : 6.20 : 6.32 +0.1 : 04121944: little muskegon river near oak grove, mi : The USGS Water Resources Division (Lansing) monitored the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the river before and after removal. "The cold-water . Amid those changes, Consumers sold or retired most of its dams between the 1940s and 1970s. For additional information, please email us at [email protected]. A PERMIT is required for launch and parking (see table above for fee details). Those efforts are met with counterpoints from environmentalists who see Consumers process as a rare opportunity to undo the environmental impacts of dams, which have thwarted the survival of migratory fish and other river life. Caption reads, "South of Big Rapids. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Butzner), Caption: "Bay City, Mich.,-- Jesse Lopez had to push his bicycle to reach home in the area of Bay City where several streets were submerged and hundreds of basements flooded. For information on obtaining a lease, license, permit or easement, call our Operations Planning Center at 866-679-4054 or email [email protected]. Information and photos for this article was acquired from documents held by the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center. The Muskegon is a fantastic smallmouth river from late June until late September. Aluminum flat bottom fish boats with or without a trolling motor. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Anna Moore Bitnzer), Record rainfalls continue to cause flooding evacuations, and dams to collapse Thursday in Western Michigan. More then 10 inches of rain fell over the area causing local dams to fail. Lake navigation features include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water temperature, water depth . Water in the downtown area was up to the awnings of businesses. In addition, dirt bikes, snowmobiling, ATVs and other off-road vehicles may not be operated on any company property (except for licensed trails). Where are we gonna buy our bread? the 67-year-old resident said through tears at a recent public meeting hosted by Consumers. Au Sable River At Red Oak. The primary area for recreation boating along the Muskegon River extends just under 55 miles from Croton Dam (1) to Maple Island (7) and will take about 15 . *Appliance Service Plan is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission. There are three man-made reservoirs on the Muskegon River, the Rogers Dam Pond, Hardy Dam Pond, and the Croton Dam Pond. The idea of losing the dams has nearby residents nervous. Steelhead enter West Michigan rivers as early as late September. Groups like his and the Anglers of the Au Sable generally favor removing most dams, while maintaining a downstream barrier to keep Great Lakes invasive lamprey from entering rivers. (The Muskegon Chronicle/ Brian Masck), A car drives through flooded roads. Invasive Plants and Waterfowl As a result the dam pond was never raised again. (The Grand Rapids Press flee photo), A boy is seen floating in the flooded roads near Sylvia Street and Alpine Avenue NW in Grand Rapids during the flood of Sept. 1986. Agents, Brokers, Realtors and For Sale By Owner: Advertise Lakefront Property in MI . The river has its headwaters in Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. The river is cautiously wadable in levels below 6 feet and 2500 cubic feet per second along the north side of the river throughout the length of the park. Native American heritage to it for fishing and hunting, "Down the Drain: The Incredible Shrinking Great Lakes", "The First Logging Railroads in the Great Lakes Region", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muskegon_River&oldid=1139017932, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In recent years, the river has gained a certain measure of fame as a recreational fishery, boasting large migratory, People have also taken a liking to paddling down the river. After that, state and federal regulators will decide whether the company can move forward with its plans. A contractor from Grand Rapids got the job and for $84,000 the demolition of the dam was completed in February, 1969. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 25 min to complete. The watershed encompasses a variety of land uses including agricultural, forest, recreational, urban, and commercial uses. Flood damage seen in an unmarked photo in the Grand Rapids Press files. Hardy Dam is an earth-filled embankment dam and powerplant complex on the Muskegon River in Big Prairie Township, Newaygo County, Michigan. Racers exit their boat to portage over each dams embankment, an opportunity to stretch legs cramped from hours in a canoe. We're currently experiencing system issues which may result in website slowness. Permits can be obtained for whitetail deer hunting and waterfowl hunting. Phone: 231-796-3420. Contact Us. A community-based, volunteer partnership organization. . The Great Flood of 1986 resulted in $500 million of damage throughout Michigan's central lower Peninsula. This factor attracts, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 23:07. We're sorry for any inconvenience and ask that you try again later today. Sturgeon River At Wolverine. (The Saginaw News/ Gary Netzley), Caption: "Bay City, Mich.--George Raymaker helps remove belongings from an apartment at the Tradewinds complex that was flooded this morning. Fifty years later, lumbering had faded as a major industry in Michigan and the old wooden dam was in need of major repairs. It was completed in 1918 and is named after our founder. All rights reserved (About Us). The river source is located at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. The dam removal involved upstream sediment dredging, downstream sediment traps and restoration of natural flow and river bottom elevation. In 1900, the company began work on two major projects, the reconstruction of the Newaygo Dam and the construction of the Newaygo Powerhouse to provide water powered energy for the plant. Webber Hydro has a capacity of 3,225 kilowatts. (MLive file photo), Caption: "Denny Heath of Wyoming said he will be disappointed when the flooded water at Johnson Park is fixed because he is a "water log" and enjoys his days off riding through it. And cheaper energy sources entered the fray while the aging dams became increasingly expensive to operate and maintain. Newaygo County Museum. (The Grand Rapids Press/ Lance Wynn), Al Dewitt paddles as Steve Clark starts the boat engine. :A Z3l}/1 z,v endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 109 0 obj <>stream Alcona Hydro has a capacity of 8,000 kilowatts. Just 35 miles north of Grand Rapids is a true getaway in Newaygo, MI: the Muskegon River. Published: Nov. 24, 2022, 9:00 a.m. click here. deeper and slower float as the river approaches Croton Dam Pond. MECOSTA COUNTY Deteriorating dams have become an increasingly urgent issue across the United States. Hardy Dam Lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water-based recreational activities. But licenses for 11 of the 13 dams will expire in 2034, putting the company on a timeline to decide whether its logical to make the investments needed to keep them safe for the future. Click here to read the letter For Sale. The Muskegon River is the second-longest river in Michigan. (Bay City Times/ Wes Stafford), Caption: The corner of Forest St. and Franklin St. in Bridgeport as seen from a rowboat. Newaygo, MI. Good numbers of fall steelhead on the Muskegon River. Hillstrom, Kevin, and Laurie Hillstrom. Nightly camping or cabin reservations will begin February 1st at 4:00 pm. Later road was closed to traffic across Tittabawassee. In order to meet Federal guidelines for managing the property within the Croton Hydroelectric project, a Consumers Energy Employee or authorized contractor will be contacting home and property owners bordering the project. State regulators are urging people not to play in or drink from the river until further notice. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In Michigan, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly is working to solve that problem. (The Bay City Times/ Wes Stafford), Caption: "MUSKEGON, MICH., Sept. 11 -- It is bad enough to go shopping during a rainstorm, but for Paul Omness of Muskegon, his trip across the rain swept parking lot of a grocery store Wednesday afternoon included the added nuisance of a broken umbrella. Bridge Michigan | Official websites use .gov LOCATION ADDRESS: 22090 Northland Dr. Paris, MI 49338. But he has a few of his own: Eighty-six thousand people come to recreate on the Alcona Dams reservoir each year, including those who fill up the townships 450-site shoreline campground all summer. This trail is great for hiking, paddle sports, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many . Leave your worries behind and soak up the sun on a river rafting trip. We're happy to have the opportunity to guide and fish the Muskegon River, located in Western Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Feenstra Guide ServiceMuskegon River Fly Shop, Feenstra Guide ServiceGray Drake Lodge andGreat Lakes Fly Fishing/Fred VargasJay Allen Fly Fishing Guide Service, Sign up for Oak Brook Chapter email newsletters & announcements. The plant and its 110,000-volt transmission line (the highest voltage in use at that time) attracted international attention. February 16th, 2023 | Grand Rapids Steelhead. The companys dilemma is familiar: More than 80% of Michigans 2,521 dams have aged beyond their intended life span, resulting in growing costs to keep them going. Mio Hydro has a capacity of 4,900 kilowatts. And maintain Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading chinook salmon camping. Variety of land uses including agricultural, forest, recreational, urban and. See table above for fee details ) of 1 h 25 min to complete ( square... 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