This is the dam that the Dam Removal meeting on July 24 was depicting in all of the displays. This dam is on Hannah Street and divides the North Branch of the Kalamazoo River into two channels, one being an old Mill Race that is planned for removal.
By MAGGIE LANOUE
Contributing Writer
Even though the invitation featured a photo of the Victory Park waterfall, the July 24 open house at Victory Park wasn’t about that landmark, at least not for now. About 50 people gathered at the big pavilion to study maps, ask questions, and talk about what changes to Albion’s dams might mean for Albion’s future.
Nearly 15 experts and city representatives were there to guide the conversation, including representatives from engineering firm Wightman, river restoration specialists from Inter-Fluve, and staff from the DNR. Interim City Manager Doug Terry moved from one group to another, greeting residents and answering questions. Among the display boards were conceptual diagrams showing changes along the river, examples of other dam removal projects, and maps of Albion that highlighted what could be next.
The displays focused on features of Albion’s waterways, including the Mill Race that runs along Linden Street and the Hannah Street dam, an area that older residents know as Dutchtown. That spot, once a swimming hole for kids in the 1950s, is slated for removal. The plans presented Thursday showed changes primarily on the North Branch of the Kalamazoo River, where the Mill Race would be filled and the channel restored to a more natural flow. A new pavilion would replace the one where the meeting took place, because the re-routed river will eventually run through that location.
What the maps didn’t provide were exact timelines or definitive phases. “The construction sequence is yet to be determined,” said Terry. “Funding and permits will decide what happens when.”
“The map reflects the current concepts, but remember that we’re in the conceptual stage, so the final route of the channel may vary,” explained Marty Melchior, principal geomorphologist/river ecologist at Inter-Fluve, a consulting firm that has worked on more than 75 dam removal projects across the country and Canada. “The timeline is subject to funding and permit approvals, as well as time-of-year restrictions.”
The next step is a hydrological study to determine how the surface and subsurface waters will behave, including flooding and river velocities. This study is already funded at about $2 million. Those findings will influence final design decisions and construction methods. Full construction costs remain unknown, and so does the timing. As federal and state priorities shift, so does the pace of projects like this.
City leaders emphasized that removing aging dams is about more than changing the view. Michigan law requires dams that pose safety risks to be repaired or removed, and many are past their intended lifespan. In Albion, the concern is not only about long-term stability but also about what could happen during heavy rain events if a dam were to fail. Residents need only look to Midland, Michigan, where a dam collapse in 2020 caused catastrophic flooding, to understand why engineers are paying attention.
Ecology is another part of the equation. “The Kalamazoo River provides quality fishing and canoe/kayak opportunities to local communities,” said Matt Diana, a fisheries biologist with the DNR. “The river flows through several cities like Albion and provides these recreational activities to residents who may not have easy access to these resources. As a result, it is an important part of the economy and quality of life for communities lucky enough to be located close by.”
“The dam (waterfall) will come out, but before that, the area above it must be dredged to avoid sending a sludge or mud flood downstream. It’s also my understanding that the Mill Race is the first phase, but whether both phases happen at the same time will depend on funding,” said Andy French, Albion’s Sixth Precinct council member.
The displays attracted steady attention. Some boards showed aerial photos of Albion with green and red lines marking proposed changes. French described the code: “The green line represents the new river path, while the red areas show the current route.” Other panels displayed before-and-after images from similar projects in other communities. Residents pointed to familiar landmarks on the maps, trying to picture what the future might look like. Everyone agreed on one thing: the waterfalls and the broad water upstream and downstream are beautiful as they are now. For many, the uncertainty lies in what those views will look like years from now.
As people drifted from table to table, the conversations were a mix of curiosity and caution. Some spoke about memories of swimming at Dutchtown, while others worried about losing access to their favorite spots in Victory Park. Experts explained that the work shown on Thursday is likely the first stage of a much longer process. Funding, regulatory approvals, and even seasonal restrictions on in-water work will dictate the timeline. It could take years before major visible changes occur, and that’s assuming federal and state grants stay on track.
Across the United States, more than 2,200 dams have been removed since 1912, and interest in river restoration continues to grow. Advocates cite benefits for public safety, environmental health, and recreation. Critics often worry about costs and impacts on local character. Albion’s situation reflects both sides of that conversation. For now, the community waits for answers while the experts refine designs and chase the funding needed to turn concepts into reality.
Even as the storm clouds gathered and the heat pressed down, Thursday’s event showed that Albion cares deeply about its river and its parks. Residents left with more questions than answers, but also with a sense that this is a story still unfolding. There is more information to come about the future of the Kalamazoo River in Albion, the role of dam removals across Michigan, and what these changes could mean for safety, recreation, and heritage. For now, one thing is certain: the conversation has begun, and it’s not the only one the whole community will be watching.
