Initial construction for FishPass began Tuesday in Traverse City.
The first-of-its-kind dam project will use recognition technology to sort different fish, allowing desirable species passage upstream while blocking invasive species.
The project was delayed by a lawsuit, but was ultimately allowed to move forward last fall.
FishPass will replace Union Street Dam, the last remaining dam on the Boardman-Ottaway River after years of restoration work.
Construction will last at least three years, with early site preparation happening over the next few weeks.
"So putting up the fencing, taking care of the trees, removing any loose infrastructure like the parking meters," said Leah Bagdon McCallum, with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. "Later on in the summer, you’re going to see sheet piling going in [which is] kind of the beginning phases of having the new labyrinth weir installed to replace the dam that's currently failing."
Heavier work is set to begin later this summer, with completion expected in 2027.
"The full river restoration has been going on for decades with partners from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, many local nonprofits, the city, the county," Bagdon McCallum said. "This is the capstone project, so making sure we take care of this last piece of infrastructure ... it's huge."
The parking lot near Union Street Dam will close, and will remain closed for the duration of the project.
For more information on dock and river access during construction, see here.
Leah Bagdon McCallum, who was interviewed for this story, is a member of IPR’s Community Advisory Council. The council has no editorial control over stories.
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