Chesaning

12/14/2011
Chesaning Dam Removal and
Shiawassee River Restoration
Michael G. Nielsen, PE
Chesaning
• Village in Saginaw County
• Located on the
Shiawassee River
• Part of the Saginaw Bay
Watershed
85% of dams will reach their design life by 2020
-Source :USACE
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Shiawassee River Design Flows
Bankfull Event (every 1 to 2 years): 3,100 cfs
5-Year Event: 5,000 cfs
25-Year Event: 7,800 cfs
100-Year Event: 10,100 cfs
Former Dam Location
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Former Dam Location
Channel Incision
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Channel Incision
Importance of Chesaning Showboat
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Previous Modifications
• Over the years, the dam was
modified - encased in concrete
and were extensions added
• Maintained in fair shape until
mid 90’s
• In 2005 a partial breech of the
dam occurred; emergency
repairs were implemented
• MDOT constructed a grade
control structure in 2006 to
protect M-57 bridge footings by
slowing the down-cutting
process
• The MDOT structure bought
time, but was not a permanent
solution
Project Goals and Challenges
• Reconstruction of the dam was the first option
• Very difficult to meet safety regulations
• Must be fixed again someday
• Funding is very limited for reconstruction
• Removal was a hard sell due to community attachment
• Village desired to maintain impoundment to support Showboat Festival
• Maintain aesthetics/focal point for Cole Park and the footbridge
• Community focus was on the Showboat, not regional benefits
• Fish passage
• Watershed health
• Solution needed to:
• Stabilize the river both upstream and downstream of the dam;
• Maintain grade control to prevent downcutting and upstream migration
of nick point;
• Be a long term solution to protect MDOT investment of M-57 bridge
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A Turning Point
• Wade Trim and Ellen River
Partners were hired in
2006
• The project was
“rebranded”
• Transition from reconstruction to
removal/restoration
• Pro-active marketing
• Projected the community’s vision
• Focused on regional
benefits that would
resonate with funding
agencies
A Turning Point
• A picture says a thousand words
• Showed exactly what we intended to accomplish
• Reassured the community aesthetic integrity would be
maintained
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A Turning Point
A Turning Point
Funding Agency
Grant Amount
Michigan Department of Environmental QualityClean Michigan Initiative
$900,000
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Economic Stimulus
Funding
99,400
Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network
$50,000
Partners for Fish and Wildlife-Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) General Fund
$10,000
Saginaw Community Foundation
$5,000
Local Commitment and Rock Donations
$346,000
Total
$1,410,400
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Chesaning, Rock City!
BMPs
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Plan View
Profile View
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Circular Arch Vanes
Straight Vane
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J-Hook Detail
Fishing Bench Detail
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Fishing Bench
Riffle Pool for Fish Passage
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Final result
Construction
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Construction
Construction
Dozens of local
residents gathered on
the bank daily to
witness realization of a
rare project
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Final result
Final result
Rapids were officially dedicated on
November 1, 2009
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Final result
Final result
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Final result
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