Elsie DAM is located on maple river in clinton county, michigan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the National Fish Passage Program (CFDA 15.685), awarded a $1,822,000 Cooperative Agreement to Duplain Township on October 1, 2024 to remove the failing Elsie Dam on the Maple River in Clinton County, Michigan. The primary objectives are to eliminate the public safety hazard posed by the dam failure, restore the river channel through natural channel design, re-establish ecosystem function, and improve passage for aquatic organisms. Key deliverables include final design plans, an ecosystem restoration plan, required permits, bid documents, and construction inspection reports. This project will reconnect over 200 miles of the Maple River, benefiting federally endangered and state-listed mussel species, improving navigation on a state water trail, and enhancing recreational opportunities.

The DAM failed on august 18, 2023 and poses a public safety hazard. Removing the structure will eliminate the existing public safety hazard, improve fish passage, preserve the federally endangered snuffbox mussel and state listed slippershell and black sandshell mussel, improve navigation on a state designated water trail, and enhance recreational opportunities in the park. Removal of elsie DAM will reconnect over 200 miles of the river from the headwaters of maple river to its confluence with the grand river.objective: the primary project objective is to remove a failing DAM that is currently posing a public safety hazard and to restore the river channel through the impoundment using natural channel design techniques. This will eliminate the existing public safety hazard and RE-open the area to the public for recreational opportunities, RE-establish ecosystem function and improve passage for aquatic organisms.deliverables: 1. Final design plans and specifications for DAM removal and stream restoration, including engineering drawings, and detailed specifications for construction, erosion control, and restoration.2. Ecosystem restoration plan for riparian and upland natural communities, which will include native seed mixes, native shrub and tree species for planting.3. Approved state, federal, and local permits.4. Bid documents for construction.5. Construction inspection reports, including weekly reports documenting observed conditions, progress, and areas of concern and proposed remedies.