News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena have been restored. Click here to learn more.

FishPass construction begins on the Boardman-Ottaway River

Crews began construction on Tuesday at the future site of the FishPass project in Traverse City. <i>(Photo: Leah Bagdon McCallum/Great Lakes Fishery Commission)</i>
Leah Bagdon McCallum
/
Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Crews began construction on Tuesday at the future site of the FishPass project in Traverse City.

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.

An animated rendering of the FishPass Project after construction at the current site of the Union Street Dam in the Boardman-Ottaway River in downtown Traverse City. (Photo: Great Lakes Fishery Commission)
An animated rendering of the FishPass Project after construction at the current site of the Union Street Dam in the Boardman-Ottaway River in downtown Traverse City. (Photo: Great Lakes Fishery Commission)

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.

Copyright 2024 Interlochen Public Radio

Ellie Katz joined IPR in June 2023 after working in podcasting and radio, including stints at Heritage Radio Network, FRQNCY Media, Stitcher and Michigan Radio.