The flint river restoration is a long term project key to the revitalization of the riverfront in downtown flint, michigan in river components of the project will open nearly 25 miles of streams to…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 awarded $400,000 under the Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance program (CFDA 15.608) to the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission for the Flint River Restoration project in Flint, Michigan. The two-year project will restore nearly 25 stream miles to improve fish habitat and passage for species of conservation concern in the Flint River watershed. Key activities include removing dams and installing constructed riffles to naturalize the river channel, stabilizing riverbanks, and enhancing riparian and riverside parks. The project directly addresses federal and state fish passage priorities and supports lake sturgeon reestablishment. It is expected to allow upstream access to 5 additional river miles and portions of tributaries for the first time in over 100 years.

The flint river restoration is a long term project key to the revitalization of the riverfront in downtown flint, michigan in river components of the project will open nearly 25 miles of streams to fish passage, improve in channel habitat, and support spawning runs of lake sturgeon and walleye flint river has been degraded by damming, channelization, dredging, and urban development existing issues include degraded instream habitat, barriers to fish movement, elevated water temperature, and water quality impairment the project will remove the remnant foundation of the fabri DAM and the concrete weir of the hamilton DAM, which is the first fish barrier on the river upstream of saginaw BAY the project will also install a series of constructed riffles along the 1 7 mile long project reach to restore fish habitat and improve hydraulics riverbanks will be stabilized along the reach using bioengineering and native plantings in concert with riverfront park improvements the flint river restoration provides a unique opportunity for a project to provide substantial ecological lift with social benefits included the project enjoys broad support in the community and among stakeholders, with a long list of project partners IT directly addresses fish passage priorities within u s fish and wildlife service USFWS region 3, both for major species of conservation concern lake sturgeon and recreational interest walleye IT supports sturgeon reestablishment efforts, fish passage priorities, and watershed restoration goals promoted by several federal and michigan department of natural resources programs the project also meets the priorities of the city of flint and genesee county in providing outdoor recreational opportunities for underserved communities, as well as RE vitalizing the downtown corridor specific project objectives are to 1 provide volitional fish passage upstream through the project reach by removing existing barriers 2 naturalize the project reach to extent practical 3 improve conveyance and avoid incremental water surface elevation increases that result in flood risk impacts 4 stabilize stream banks along project reach 5 provide angling access and improve safe boating potential through the project reach 6 implement riverfront park improvements along downtown riverbanks the project will be implemented in phases major steps in habitat restoration are as follows 1 modify sea walls for construction access 2 remove fabri DAM foundation 3 install riffles at former fabri DAM site 4 begin riparian and riverside park enhancements 5 install temporary construction causeway downstream of hamilton DAM 6 notch DAM and draw down backwater 7 remove remaining concrete weir 8 RE grade causeway material to riffle final grade and install habitat enhancements 9 install riffles at up and downstream limits of vietnam veterans park 10 install bank stabilization 11 complete riparian and riverside park enhancements the work proposed in this project would allow upstream access to 5 miles of the main branch of the river and portions of main tributaries, resulting in 24 73 reconnected stream miles to lake huron for the first time in 100 years