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August 05, 2025
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.
Once an industrial site burdened by paper-waste pollution and outdated dam structures, this area has undergone an ecological transformation.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 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:
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:
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is responsible for managing 200-plus state-owned dams. The average age of these dams is 62 years old, and many were not designed for their current uses or to current construction standards. To ensure public safety and the operational effectiveness of these structures, the DNR is urgently assessing their condition and sustainability.
In addition to managing state-owned dams, the DNR assists partners and municipalities with dam removal by providing funding and technical assistance. This comprehensive approach helps protect, conserve and manage Michigan's natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNRDams.
