Kalamazoo County secures $3.4M for ‘urgent' dam replacement
VICKSBURG, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo County says it has secured more than $3 million in funding to replace a 175-year-old dam.
Sunset Lake Dam in Vicksburg was originally built in 1850. Since then, officials say the dam has 'deteriorated significantly,' with its concrete structures in poor condition and its main spillway unable to handle large amounts of rain, and it could pose a risk to those who live nearby.
'The current dam requires manual removal of wooden stoplogs to control lake levels before heavy rain, which is labor-intensive and poses safety risks for our staff,' said Drain Commissioner Jason Wiersma in a statement. 'Even with all stoplogs removed, the dam lacks the capacity to handle a 200-year flood, as mandated by state regulations. The combination of its outdated design and poor condition makes this replacement project urgent.'
EGLE announces grants for 5 West Michigan dam projects
To support the project, the Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner's Office has secured $3.4 million in funding over the past few years: $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which was allocated through the county, and an additional from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
The county intends to demolish the old spillway and build a new, modern spillway, updated channels and better safety features — a 'state-of-the-art system that prioritizes safety and reliability,' according to Wiersma. The safety features will help keep swimmers and boaters away from the spillway and protect pedestrians and cars from any hazards. According to officials, the project will cut the risk of dam failure and improve water level management.
Currently, the project is in the design and permitting phase. The county is working with Spicer Group, which specializes in dam engineering, to oversee inspections and construction.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Major paddling access planned on Cedar
Jun. 12—Mower SWCD, CRWD, state partner on Orchard Creek launch An official canoe-kayak access will be built this summer on the Cedar River State Water Trail nearly five miles south of Austin after more than a decade in the works. The announcement was made Thursday in a press release that also indicated that the access will be known as the "Orchard Creek Access," the public site is along Minnesota Highway 105 in Lyle Township, about a half mile south of the Cedar City Cemetery sign between Mower County Roads 4 and 5. On Thursday, the Mower Soil & Water Conservation District's Board of Supervisors approved a nearly $117,210 construction bid from Rochester Sand & Gravel to build the access. Mower SWCD does the work of the Cedar River Watershed District, which has led the pursuit of creating an access at Orchard Creek. "It has been a long road but we are very grateful to our project partners for working with CRWD to make this key access a reality on our state water trail," CRWD outreach coordinator Tim Ruzek said. "This will improve the safety and accessibility of the Orchard site that's on a beautiful stretch of the Cedar." Orchard Creek flows into the Cedar River at the property owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. When completed, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will maintain the access and install signage. With design work by the WSE Massey engineering firm, the overall $161,210 project is funded by a $95,000 grant from The Hormel Foundation; $44,000 design-only DNR grant; and up to $50,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Officials expect construction on the access to start in July and open it by August. Work will include creating a new entrance/exit road that connects to Highway 105 and removing the old road. Crews also will construct a boat ramp with concrete planks along the Cedar River, just upstream from Orchard Creek, which flows in from the west. A few years ago, plans for the site started making progress when MnDOT connected CRWD with WSE Massey's Les Conway to create a rough plan and cost estimate for CRWD to use in seeking funding, especially from The Hormel Foundation. Prior to that, plans were delayed mainly due to funding resources and issues with property records. This future Orchard Creek access will be about seven and a half river miles downstream from the access behind Austin's Marcusen Park baseball stadium and nearly four river miles down from the DNR's Riverwood Landing access near Solafide Observatory. From Orchard, it is about eight river miles to Stateline Road at the Iowa border, where an access is on the southwest side. While paddlers can put in and take out at county bridges, these sites can be difficult to use for launching or taking out watercraft from the river due to large rocks protecting against erosion. Dedicated public-access points allow for off-road parking and easy access to the river. To date, these public water accesses have been created on the Cedar River and tributary creeks that connect to the river: * 2023 — Below Ramsey Dam across from The Old Mill on Cedar River * 2022 — Wolf Creek at Austin's Wildwood Park (upstream from the Cedar and Interstate 90) * 2022 — Turtle Creek at 12th St SW in Austin (NW side of bridge) * 2017 — Austin's Marcusen Park baseball stadium on Cedar River (2011 — Cedar designated as a "state water trail" in Minnesota) * 2008 — Boat ramp above Ramsey Dam to access Ramsey Mill Pond (Cedar River) * 2007 — Riverwood Landing, south of Austin, on Cedar River * 1999 — Austin Mill Pond boat ramp (north side) on Cedar River Totaling 25 river miles in Mower County, the Cedar River State Water Trail is one of 35 state water trails that cover more than 4,500 miles overall. In 2011, the Minnesota Legislature designated 25 river miles of the Cedar (village of Lansing to the Iowa border) as the 33rd state water trail at the request of CRWD and its partners. In summer 2023, state and county officials in Iowa celebrated designating 32 miles of the Cedar River as a "state water trail" through Mitchell County, which borders Mower County. That created 57 continuous river miles of "state water trail" between Mower and Mitchell counties. CRWD continues to work with colleagues in Iowa on water trail projects. For more on Minnesota's Cedar River State Water Trail — including real-time river levels and a water trail map — go online at:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Landen-Deerfield Park set for major change with creek project
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The Warren County Park District has announced construction will begin mid-June on the Simpson Creek Headwaters Restoration project at Landen-Deerfield Park. The park is on U.S. 22 and 3 in Deerfield Township, near Maineville. Warren Co. Park District said this project will improve water quality, reduce flooding risk and expand public access. It will change the aging manmade pound into a stream and wetland system. This will transform the area and enhance habitats for native wildlife. By changing it into a stream, this will strengthen the health of the Little Miami River Watershed, and in turn reduce the flooding risk. Glen Helen Nature Preserve needs your help after weekend storm damage There are also plans to improve the park itself – new trails, a nature play area, educational signs and a half-acre fishing pond. The park district said the main benefits of the project will be the following: Cleaner Water and Healthier Habitat: The wetland system will filter pollutants more effectively and support a greater variety of plants than artificial ponds. New and Improved Recreation: Visitors will enjoy expanded trails, nature play features and a redesigned fishing pond. Lower Maintenance and Less Flooding: It will remove the need for future dredging, reducing long-term maintenance costs and lessening the risk of downstream flooding. Educational Value: The newly restored area will support field trips, volunteer programs and environmental learning. The park district is hosting a temporary 'Catch and Keep' fishing opportunity at the existing pond. No license or registration is required. This is because the fish currently in the pond will not survive the transition. The park district said turtles and other mobile wildlife will self-relocate as the conditions change. What3Words app helps Brookville Fire Department find lost individuals Crews will drain the pond and move vegetation and soil. This might cause noise and unpleasant smells. This is normal for a wetland restoration project. The Landen-Deerfield Park will remain open throughout construction. There will be a fence placed around the construction site. Visitors will be asked to stay out of the construction zone for their safety. 'While we recognize that construction can be inconvenient in the short term, the long-term benefits for the park and the environment will be substantial,' said Matt Latham, CEO of the Warren County Park District. 'We appreciate your patience as we complete this important restoration effort.' Illustrations of the future water system via the Warren County Park District. This project is funded by H2Ohio initiative and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants. It is expected to be finished by late 2025. The native plants and habitat stabilization efforts will continue into 2026. To see project updates, plans, and FAQs, click here. For general information on the Warren County Park District, which manages over 1,700 acres in 12 parks across the county, call (513) 695-3980, email parks@ or click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo County secures $3.4M for ‘urgent' dam replacement
VICKSBURG, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo County says it has secured more than $3 million in funding to replace a 175-year-old dam. Sunset Lake Dam in Vicksburg was originally built in 1850. Since then, officials say the dam has 'deteriorated significantly,' with its concrete structures in poor condition and its main spillway unable to handle large amounts of rain, and it could pose a risk to those who live nearby. 'The current dam requires manual removal of wooden stoplogs to control lake levels before heavy rain, which is labor-intensive and poses safety risks for our staff,' said Drain Commissioner Jason Wiersma in a statement. 'Even with all stoplogs removed, the dam lacks the capacity to handle a 200-year flood, as mandated by state regulations. The combination of its outdated design and poor condition makes this replacement project urgent.' EGLE announces grants for 5 West Michigan dam projects To support the project, the Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner's Office has secured $3.4 million in funding over the past few years: $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which was allocated through the county, and an additional from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The county intends to demolish the old spillway and build a new, modern spillway, updated channels and better safety features — a 'state-of-the-art system that prioritizes safety and reliability,' according to Wiersma. The safety features will help keep swimmers and boaters away from the spillway and protect pedestrians and cars from any hazards. According to officials, the project will cut the risk of dam failure and improve water level management. Currently, the project is in the design and permitting phase. The county is working with Spicer Group, which specializes in dam engineering, to oversee inspections and construction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
