Restoration of the Shiawassee River at the existing dam has transformed a deteriorating pile of broken concrete into naturalized rapids. This transformation has allowed the rapids to become a focal point and key feature of Downtown Chesaning that provides benefits for local stakeholders and the Village economy, while also restoring the natural habitat of the Shiawassee River.

Local Impact

Throughout construction, dozens of onlookers watched as thousands of boulders and rocks were strategically placed to form a naturalized rock ramp. This project has generated a great deal of excitement and optimism throughout the Village of Chesaning. The river restoration site is surrounded by existing public facilities including Cole Park, the Village Library, and the offices of the Chesaning Area Chamber of Commerce, each of which provide excellent viewing locations of the project site. In addition, the rapids are clearly visible from M-57, where over 7,000 drivers pass by each day. The site is becoming one of Chesaning’s best advertisements. The enhanced aesthetic value provided by the river restoration is sure to transform Chesaning into an enjoyable waypoint for people taking a rest during their travels.

River restoration dramatically decreased the threats to the M-57 bridge, and also alleviated the water fall undertow that was a danger to public safety. This undertow has been a source of deaths throughout Village history. Additionally, river restoration incorporated bank stabilization, which will improve safety for anglers, canoeists, and others who require public access to the river, while minimizing silting in the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

Restoration of the Shiawassee River has provided a wide range of benefits for fish populations and water quality. Rivers and streams offer a seamless connection between inland watersheds and the delicate aquatic ecosystems of the Great Lakes, and it is important that these systems be protected. This project has reestablished the Shiawassee River’s historic connection with the Saginaw River and Lake Huron by dramatically reopening an estimated 37 miles of upriver habitat. The removal of the dam barrier also provides an opportunity for several species of fish to regain their historical habitat.

One of Michigan’s greatest gifts is the numerous waterways that flow through our communities providing picturesque landscapes and a source of economic gain. The Village of Chesaning has demonstrated an excellent example of maximizing the potential economic benefits of the river by facilitating public access to waterways. The aesthetic and environmental improvements created by river restoration will result in a significant increase in the number of people who can enjoy this site. The restoration plan includes features that will provide increased and improved access to the river at existing fishing sites and those created by restoration. These access points will create more opportunities for the public to safely enjoy fishing while minimizing overuse of fragile river banks and erosion prone areas.

Regional Impact

In addition to providing significant localized benefits, the project has received regional recognition for its impact within the Saginaw Bay Watershed. The dam was identified during a study as one of 3 major barriers that needed to be removed to promote health of the entire watershed. As part of US EPA’s Saginaw Bay Area of Concern (AOC), restoration of the Shiawassee River is a significant goal of the AOC managers. Removal of the Chesaning Dam has contributed to efforts to "delist" the Saginaw Bay Watershed as an AOC by removing three Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) at the Chesaning site. BUIs tackled by this project include the degradation of aesthetics and fish populations as well as the loss of fish and wildlife habitat.

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