Restoring Fish Passage at the
Henry Ford Estate Dam
In partnership with:
Addresses Rouge River AOC Beneficial Use
Impairments (BUIs): Loss of Fish and Wildllife
Habitat, Degradation of Fish and Wildlife
Populations, and Degradation of Benthos
The Henry Ford Estate Dam Fishway project will:
•Positively impact 50 main river and 108 tributary miles for fish migration on three
branches of the Rouge River, the Upper, Middle and Main (see map on back)
•Increase aquatic diversity throughout the Rouge River for fish species,
macroinvertebrates, mussels and other aquatic life
The Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) received grant funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the Henry Ford Estate Dam (HFE Dam) Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration Design project as part
of its effort to delist the Rouge River Area of Concern (AOC). Providing fish passage at the HFE Dam has been identified by the Rouge River
Advisory Council (RRAC) as one of the highest priority projects within the watershed to address the habitat and population BUIs within the
AOC. Additionally, providing fish passage at the HFE Dam has been identified, since 1998, by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) – Fisheries Division as one of the priority projects (DNR Fisheries Special Report Number 22 titled “Rouge River Assessment,” by Beam
and Braunscheidel, 1998). Efforts to remove additional barriers to the fish in the Rouge River AOC, including the GLRI NOAA-funded Wayne
Road Dam on the Rouge Lower Branch and the GLRI-funded Danvers Pond Dam on the Upper Rouge, are completed.
The fishway channel itself will be a natural channel with riffles and pools. The fishway channel will be constructed of native stone and cobble
material to look natural in appearance. The banks of the new channel will be planted with a variety of grasses, forbs and trees to establish
native vegetation. The downstream end will open directly into the Rouge River with no control structure or culvert. Therefore, the historic
Jen Jenson Wall will not be disturbed in the construction of the project. Both the MDNR – Fisheries Division and MDEQ have recommended
this as the most prudent and feasible alternative for fish passage. The ARC has developed the plans, specifications and permit to allow for this
recommended fishway around the dam. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2017 under an EPA grant to Wayne County.
example of riffles and pools to
be created in the fishway
The ARC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of local municipalities, counties, educational institutions and stewardship groups
working together to improve the Rouge River. Founded in 2005, the ARC is funded by membership dues from local governments and supported
by grants. The ARC and its partners work cooperatively to meet water quality requirements mandated by the state’s storm water permit and
to restore beneficial uses, such as canoeing, fishing and other recreational activities, to the Rouge River. That means better water quality for less
cost to its members!
For more information about other ARC activities visit our website at:
www.allianceofrougecommunities.com
This project is funded through a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (grant number NA15NMF4630294)
ROUGE RIVER WATERSHED
Waterways Affected by Ford Estate Dam Removal
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WHITE LAKE TWP.
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\gis\map\mxd\asize\awshed\Rouge HF Estate Dam.mxd
Rouge watershed boundary
Rouge River main branch
Tributary
Enclosed drain
Lake
County boundary
Community boundary
SOUTHGATE
Rouge Watershed Area of Concern
RIVE RV IEW
Henry Ford Estate Dam location
Affected waterways:
Main branch - 50 miles
Tributaries - 108 miles
Other Rouge Dam locations
2/2013
For more information about other ARC activities visit our website at:
www.allianceofrougecommunities.com
This project is funded through a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (grant number NA15NMF4630294)