GLATOS

Flint River Fish and Habitat Restoration

Project Title

Assessing Flint River fish distribution and habitat before and after dam removal and restoration

Project Code

FRFHR

Project Duration

March 2023 - February 2028

Project Description

We will evaluate habitat availability for and movement of fish species prior to and post-removal of the Hamilton Dam. Data will be acquired through habitat evaluations and mark and recapture of fish using T-bar tags as well as PIT and acoustic telemetry. Data obtained from this study will be used to identify significant changes in habitat availability and target species behavior and movement patterns including spawning site selection as well as navigation of waterway post removal.

Objectives

In the Flint River at the current Hamilton Dam site and up and downstream our goals are to 1) identify significant changes in target species behavior and movement patterns including habitat and potential spawning site selection prior to and post-removal of the Hamilton Dam; and 2) do implementation monitoring to ensure fish passage post dam removal with removal.

Management Benefits

This is a MDNR priority conservation project as fisheries management of the Flint River and its tributaries has been limited due to degraded water quality, unstable flow, and habitat loss, and future fisheries management depends on improvement of these limitations (MDNR Flint River Assessment 2001). The removal of the dam and subsequent construction of six riffles is expected to have a significant beneficial effect on fish populations, according to DNR fisheries managers.

Investigators

Heather Dawson (University of Michigan-Flint) - hdawson@umich.edu

Participating Organizations

University of Michigan-Flint

Funding

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
University of Michigan-Flint