Located on Drummond Island - "The Gem of the Huron"
Completed Projects Portfolio
On September 22, 2006 the Potagannissing Dam project was completed. Previously a small dam existed on the Potagannissing River, within 3 miles of the Harbor Island NWR in Potagannissing Bay.
This structure traditionally has blocked upstream passage of many fish species, particularly native northern pike, walleye, and white sucker. Many marsh-like lakes exist upstream of this dam and have historically provided ideal spawning habitat for northern pike before passage was blocked.
An old, denial style fish ladder, installed by the DNR, was located at the dam in the 1970's, but it has never proven successful at passing fish both upstream and downstream.
The fish ladder was removed as part of the project and the headwall of the dam completely removed. A series of four rock weirs were placed below the removed headwall to create a rock fish-ramp thereby reducing slope and creating appropriate resting pools for upstream migration of important native species, particularly northern pike which have been declining in this region.
Partners for this project included the Fish & Wildlife Department, the Michigan DNR who completed the design, survey, and permit work for this project, and the Drummond Island Sportsman's Club.The Sportsman's Club was an integral partner who brought this project to our attention and contributed monetary funds towards its completion. We are also indebted to John Campbell and the Plym Foundation - without John's donation of time and energy and the Foundation's very generous financial support we would not have been able to see the project through to completion.
This project restored one mile of riverine habitat and provided access to 434 acres of wetland habitat for migrating fish within the Potagannissing Bay.
We at Drummond Island Yacht Haven, Inc. are extremely proud to have been a part of this highly successful project.
The DIYH Construction crew in action
Aerial view of the fish dam in progress
View of the Potagannissing River Dam from the new walkway.
