Stronach Dam removal provides model for monitoring

From Great Lakes Wiki

If canoeist were to navigate the waters of the Pine River today, they probably would not notice where the Stronach Dam used to impede its waters. In 1996 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began the staged removal of the dam, which was built in 1912.

Michigan State University Professor Daniel Hayes worked in cooperation with the MDNR to observe the impact of dam removal on fish populations and provide scientific research on the impact of dam removal. His research now provides a model for scientists to use when conducting dam removals in the future.

The removal itself was done in a staged process. Instead of removing the dam and allowing built up sediment to wash down the river at once, the removal was gradually completed at a rate of two feet per year. The process took six years and was designed to not shock the ecology of the river.

Hayes monitored the fish population throughout the entire process. His population analysis was done by stunning the fish with electricity at ten sites both upstream and downstream from the dam site.

Once a year, Hayes with a team of researchers, would estimate the numbers of fish populations, particularly trout. They would also evaluate habitat using standard surveying techniques to also determine the increase in habitat the dam removal provided.

The Stronach Dam been gone for two full summers and Hayes says that, “The bottom line is that the majority of the fish populations have increased in abundance substantially.”

This increase is due largely in part to the ability of species to travel up the river past where the dam was to spawn. The removal of the dam has also created a better, less sandy environment for species such as the trout.

Hayes’ says that his research is, “helping guide us in the environmentally responsible ways of doing dam removals, because it really can be done poorly.” If the dam were removed in one stage the sediment could actually harm the local ecosystem.

Dam removal is a possibility in many areas nationwide, particularly around the Great Lakes. Hayes says, “I traveled a little bit around the country to help develop monitoring programs, because I think that ours’ is viewed as being very successful, so hopefully we can use that as a model.”

The research has also contributed to the overall understanding of the ecology of trout and other species that live in areas with dams.

Hayes says that his team will be monitoring the river for the last time next summer and he plans to publish his findings within the next year. Hayes would like to continue his work on dam removal and is currently assessing the situation on the Boardman River near Traverse City, MI.

--Pencekar 18:14, 4 Dec 2006 (EST)