Dam Removal and River Restoration
- Location Michigan
- Timeline2013 -2014
MethodsHeavy Civil, Excavation, Grading, Matting
Michels was hired to complete the dam removal and river restoration project. The project involved notching of the existing control structure to slowly draw down river levels into a newly dredged channel. Following the draw down process, Michels removed, stabilized, and properly disposing of approximately 13,000 tons of petroleum contaminated soil within the forebay area. After the remediation process has been completed, the remaining portions of the dam were removed and the river was restored.
Temporary seeding took place to assist in the stabilization of the newly exposed riverbed. Michels restored approximately 4 miles of the river upstream from the dam by installing boulders, cobblestone riffles, wood toe, coir log toe, and cobble toe structures. The riverbank was stabilized and restored utilizing root wads, log vanes, live branching, live stakes, shrubs and seedlings.