GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After 15 years of planning and delays, work is underway in the Grand River to restore the rapids.
The whitewater rapids, which the city was named for, went away in the late 1800s and early 1900s after dams were put in place.
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Wood TV reports that state and federal regulators struck down a plan last year that would have brought the rapids back. Officials then decided on a new plan that would still create fast-moving parts of the river.
The city announced a critical step that must be taken before construction can begin. Divers will have to relocate the native mussel population in the water.
It’s made possible by a $1.26 million grant from a biological consulting firm and a $7 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help pay for the removal of the dams.
Grand Rapids whitewater Executive Director, Matt Chapman tells Wood TV the mussels will be moved either downstream or upstream between Grand Rapids and Ada.
Crews plan to restore the rapids to the lower reach of the river from 300 feet upstream. They’ll also remove 4 dams and put rocks and boulders in the river.
Advocates argue that rapids will boost tourism and allow for recreation like whitewater paddling, tubing and floating. They also say getting rid of the dams will make for better fishing.
Mussel removal is expected to wrap up by October. The city is still waiting for the state to approve the plan and permits. If that happens, construction in the water is expected to begin by next July. The rapids could be flowing by next December, but that’s depending on the weather.