The Village of Hesperia had an open house Sept. 16 to discuss the preliminary plans to rebuild the White River dam. According to Village President Mike Farber, a recent study was completed with grant funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
The study concluded that the aging dam had a small crack and would not withstand a 200-year flood. But the study also concluded that the dam was critical in controlling the invasive sea lamprey.
"Sea lampreys have had an enormous, negative impact on the Great Lakes fishery, inflicting considerable damage," according to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission website. "Sea lampreys were able to thrive...because of the availability of excellent spawning and larval habitat, an abundance of host fish, a lack of predators, and their high reproductive potential—a single female can produce as many as 100,000 eggs."
After consulting with EGLE, DNR and the fisheries, the village approved engineers Fleis & VandenBrink and GEI Consultants to draft up some initial plans for a new dam.
The open house was held with the engineers and village council members on hand to reveal three new dam design options, along with two potential fish passage options. The residents were able to vote on which options they liked best and what concerns they have with the dam, as well as share memories that they have of the dam. An updated feasibility report from the engineers, including the incorporated voting results, is expected sometime in late October or early November.
The village is confident that grant funding will be available from both the state and federal governments once the plans and options have been determined. Farber said he was “pleased with the turnout, excited about the village moving forward, and glad to have some key players involved.”
The original dam was constructed in the 1860s to power lumber and flour mills, and a powerhouse was later constructed in the 1910s to provide electricity to the village. It now attracts anglers from across the county and provides a crucial barrier for the sea lamprey.
